On Thursday 3 February the Accessibility Foundation, Bartiméus and the University of Twente, in the presence of researchers from five European countries, signed a research agreement in the field of web access. Within the agreement they will jointly carry out research into barriers and opportunities for accessible IT applications. Since 2003 the European Commission has been calling on governments of member states to ensure that websites comply with web access requirements, so that people with a disability, such as blind people or those with a visual impairment, can also make good use of online information and services. Research has repeatedly shown that web access to government and business organizations is far from optimal.
The Accessibility Foundation, Bartiméus and the University of Twente will, among other work, carry out research into impediments and opportunities regarding web access, and the factors that determine the accessibility (or inaccessibility) of digital information and services. Further dissemination of this knowledge is a major aim of the agreement. The research is not limited to accessibility on the internet, but will also focus on other related IT applications such as mobile phones and navigation devices.
More and more information is published on the internet, and a growing number of services can only be accessed via the web. It is therefore essential that websites are designed in such a way that they are also easily accessible to 'digital risk groups' such as people with reading difficulties, visual impairments or low IT skills. There are legal requirements for government agencies and higher education institutions to present digital information, services and learning material in an accessible way, but accessible information can also be a requirement for commercial organizations. Many organizations with a public function - such as banks, insurers and public transport companies - do aim to be accessible to people with a disability, but are insufficiently successful in this in practice. They are overtaken by the rapidly developing technology, or lack the necessary expertise within their organizations.
AGREEMENT
Research and knowledge-sharing are expected to lead to better application of the guidelines, better training for web designers, better testing methods and better practical implementation of policy by the organizations. The agreement was officially signed on 3 February. In addition, the signatories to the agreement will draw up a joint research agenda for the coming years in consultation with international scientists, interest groups and representatives of the business community and government agencies. The agreement is in line with the guidelines established in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Note to editors
This press release is issued by Bartiméus and the University of Twente.
For more information on Bartiméus and the Accessibility Foundation, please contact:
Paulien Vreman (Press Officer)
T +31 (0)343 - 52 67 33
M +31 (0)6 - 13 41 42 05
pvreman@bartimeus.nl
For more information on the University of Twente, please contact:
Joost Bruysters (Science Information Officer)
T +31 (0)53 - 489 2773
M +31 (0)6 - 10 48 82 28
j.c.p.bruysters@utwente.nl
