Digital Britain report recognises need to improve internet access for visually impaired people.
16 June 2009
The prime minister's pledge to turn Britain into the 'digital capital of the world' could be great news for the two million blind and partially sighted people in the UK.
The Digital Britain report released in mid June, outlines the government’s strategic vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy. In particular, the report outlines a priority objective to 'ensure accessibility, affordability and equal participation for disabled users in the digital economy'.
"We must ensure that being digital is within the grasp of everyone. If we do not, we risk leaving significant parts of our society disenfranchised and permanently behind the mainstream. In so doing, we would fail to secure the full potential of these technologies for our country."
The report recognises that digital technology is particularly critical for people with disabilities, for whom the internet can bring 'huge new opportunities for engagement and participation'. It states a 'compelling case to improve the support and availability given to these groups and communities in order to benefit from the digital opportunities'.
In 2008, only 42% of people with visual disabilities had broadband access at home, as opposed to around 60% of the general population. The report states the need to take these concerns into account as the Digital Inclusion Action plan is implemented.
For the first time, the EU telecoms rules will include a 'provision on the availability of terminal equipment offering the requisite services and functions for users with disabilities'. We will wait to see what this means.
Another of the measures for improving e-inclusion is that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will lead a group that draws together Government, industry and the third sector to explore and understand issues of e-accessibility and develop and share best practice across all sectors.
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Your comments (1)
1.
Free laptops i think not. The government dont care but it looks great on paper. If they did they would stop telling me in small print that i have been charged like 70 quid for the privalige of not being able to read small print.
And yes i have told them i can read large print but still my summonses arrive from council tax offices.
thats how much they care
ian manchester
posted by ian on 27/07/09