The aim of this presentation is to look at the role that standardisation has to play in ensuring that ICT equipment and services are designed in an accessible way and are accessible in use. There has previously been a significant amount of research aimed at removing barriers to participation in the Information Society by disabled and older people. Knowledge gained from this research has been codified into accessibility standards.
The standardisation process can promote accessibility in three ways;
• As a way of codifying existing best practise to enable non experts to follow.
• As a way of setting the level of accessibility for legislation.
• As a method for making the most effective use of the limited resources within the accessibility field.
Objectives of presentation and benefits for the audience
The creation and implementation of accessible ICT depends on the involvement of ICT professionals who;
• Understand user requirements for the complete range of users.
• Know and are able to use solutions that meet user needs.
• Develop new accessibility solutions where required.
• Make a commitment to the use of accessibility solutions.
The paper will discuss how codifying best practise knowledge into standards can be used to assist the ICT professionals by focusing on the following points;
• The potential benefits of accessibility standardisation.
• The use of standards to support accessibility legislation.
• The use of standards as a way of sharing best practise.
• The problems which must be overcome to maximise the effect of relevant standards and legislation
