The objective of this workshop was to present the concrete aspects of accessibility and the business case for providing accessible products and services.
The workshop reflected the state of the art of accessibility legislation, policies and products and services in the areas covered by the current proposal for a European Accessibility Act. Speakers were coming from various stakeholders, namely policymakers, accessibility experts, industry, disabled persons and practitioners, from the EU as well as the USA.
Administrations from the member states, MEPs (Members of the European Parliament), the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Disability Forum, senior citizens, and consumer groups There were representatives from business, the Federal administration in the US, and other groups.
The present and future of accessibility
- Delivering accessibility through ICT
- Linking mainstream accessibility with assistive devices
Public Procurement
- Buying accessible in the US Administration
- Facilitating accessible procurement
- A national experience
The Web and e-commerce
- Web accessibility, an opportunity for SMEs
- Making the global Web accessible using standards
- Accessible e-commerce
Making accessibility a reality through market opportunities and legislation
- Accessibility in the global market
- Economic benefits: business and employment
- Strategic litigation, Enforcement in US legislation
Telecommunications
- US telecom and audiovisual legislation (255 & VCAA)
- Accessibility features in communication devices
- Real time text product
- RTT demo
Audiovisual
- Breaking down accessibility costs in Audio Visual Media Services
- Practical examples – making Audio Visual Media Services accessible in the EU
- Accessible commercial services
- Accessible terminals
E-books
- Accessing printed information
- Harmonising accessible e-books
Banking
- What is accessible banking?
- Making e-payments accessible
- ATMs and banking kiosks for all
Transport
- Websites/ SST regulation in the US DoT
- Accessible air transport information engines
- Accessible ticketing machines
Built environment
- Accessibility regulations and standards in the build environment
The willingness of all participants to contribute to the advancement of accessibility of goods and services for deaf-blind persons made this workshop a great success, with a lot of highly fascinating and productive discussions.