More accessible information on accessibility

By 28 June 2022, all EU member states had to transpose the European Accessibility Act into national law. Some countries made the deadline, the others are close. Companies have another three years until 2025 to comply with the new regulation, and the question is: what will change for the consumer? 

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) promises to improve the functioning of the European internal market for accessible products and services by removing barriers created by divergent national rules. From 2025 onwards, the products and services within the scope of the EAA will have to fulfil the accessibility requirements across the Member States. The European Commission hopes that this common rule set will lead to more accessible products and services on the market, cost reductions and fewer barriers for people with disabilities and older citizens when accessing transport, education and the open labour market. 

A key element in the EAA is the provision of accessible information on the accessibility of products and services. This intends to empower consumers with information about existing accessibility solutions in the market and enable them to select products and services that best respond to their individual needs. 

The lack of information on existing solutions is indeed a persisting issue. During the European Accessibility Summit, co-organised by the European Disability Forum (EDF) and Microsoft at the beginning of June in Brussels, several stakeholders underlined the general lack of information, the complexity of understanding the full range of existing solutions and the high threshold in implementing accessibility in their countries and organisations. For many sectors impacted by the EAA, assessing the effort and scale of the necessary changes is difficult. 

“There is a lot more accessible technology than is being used or that people are aware of”, one of the speakers at the Summit said. Also, people often don’t know what’s available regarding technology. The new obligations under the EAA to provide better information will not change that in and of itself. It is only one step in the right direction. 

It will also need a mental shift in how the manufacturers and service providers promote accessibility. Users need to be open to trying and exploring the solutions. One speaker said, “amazing technology is available and even more if it is paired with the insights from people with disabilities”. We can only agree. 

So let’s recap what will change for the consumer when the European Accessibility Act enters into force in 2025. Most ICT devices, e-commerce, audio-books, audio-visual and banking services, and services related to air, bus, rail and waterborne passenger transport will have to fulfil functional performance criteria to be accessible for users with and without disabilities. Manufacturers and service providers will have to inform their customers about what accessibility features their products and services offer and how to use them. 

Some sectors, like the manufacturers of mobile phones and tablets, are already well prepared. The GARI database, for instance, has provided information on the accessibility of a range of devices since 2008 and supports consumers in finding devices that work for them. Other sectors, such as the providers of many of the services mentioned above, are only beginning this journey. 

The next few years will see significant changes in the amount of information made available about accessibility features – an excellent development with GARI continuing its leading role. 

Are accessible smartphones to be considered assistive technology?

In July, a panel of five international experts debated that question at the ICCHP AAATE 2022 conference in Lecco. The consensus was that accessible devices increase the independence of people with disabilities and hence should qualify for assistive technology funding. The panelists shared practical experiences from their work, evidence for the importance of accessible devices for users with disabilities and thoughts on the need to change our perception of who deserves technology.  

To what extent could accessible consumer electronics fill the gap in providing assistive technology (AT) to people with disabilities? David Banes kicked off the panel discussion around this question in Lecco with an overview of the results from a research project initiated by the Mobile & Wireless Forum (MWF) in 2021. This research aimed to investigate to which extent accessible mobile phones and tablets provide assistive functions and hence might be eligible for AT funding. 

The research team investigated funding schemes in six countries and found that in none of them, there was funding for smartphones or tablets even though people with disabilities emphasised how much they wanted and used those devices in everyday life. Currently, however, our funding systems are not prepared to cater to this need, effectively denying access to these devices to many people with disabilities and also ignoring a means to bridge the gap in AT provision with technology that is both wanted by the users and can potentially offer unexpected additional benefits. 

The actual value of accessible mobile tech devices, which already provide built-in text-to-speech, voice input, word prediction, screen-readers and a whole range of other accessibility features, lies in being the core for comprehensive and personalised solutions upon which other things can be built on – such as fall detection, AAC (alternative and augmented communication) functionality, sound-amplification, sound notifications and much more. The additional benefit is that mobile technologies are the preferred platform by users with disabilities. 

From the user perspective, Klaus Höckner from the Austrian Association in Support of the Blind and Visually Impaired also questioned the distinction between consumer products versus unique products for people with disabilities. 10 to 15 years ago, no one would have predicted that smartphones would become the most used technology for people who are blind or visually impaired. Now it seems the smartphone might serve as a universal remote control to access all other devices and services – if the technologies are interoperable. People with disabilities prefer to access the smart home and the range of connected devices via the personal, accessible smartphone. 

From a policy maker perspective, Wei Zhang from the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed with David’s point that we should not fight over definitions but focus on the outcomes for the users, enabling people with disabilities to get the products and services they need to lead a dignified and independent life. 

The WHO just published The Global Report on Assistive Technology, which contains new evidence on the needs for and barriers to accessing AT worldwide. The WHO is looking at conventional AT and digital solutions regarding their effectiveness regarding money, time, and overall resources needed. 

Siobhan Long from Enable Ireland confirmed that the accessibility built into the major technology platforms has been a game changer and has accelerated the general use of technology by people with disabilities. Functions like voice assistance and smart home technology have transformed the perception of their relationship with technology and possibly even their personal life goals for and beyond independent living. Building on this, we need to trust people with disabilities to be the experts in their own lives and needs. They can share this expertise with the companies in developing new solutions in a co-design setup. 

One such new approach is the Assistive Technology Passport concept, developed by Enable Ireland and FreedomTech. The AT Passport is a digital record of AT needs that seeks to ensure the provision of assistive technology to people with disabilities and older people effectively and efficiently. It places the owner or consumer of the assistive or accessible technology at the heart of the process. 

To close the circle from industry, end-user, and academia to policy maker Brian Boyle shared insights from several of his studies at the University College Cork. Their research program was motivated by the recognition that people with disabilities use technology – whether the AT providers know about it or not. And that, for the most part, people with disabilities and their families were self-funding accessible technology outside the system. 

Rather than using the usual metrics to assess technology use, focusing on what deficit it was intended to equalise, Brian’s team wanted to investigate the unexpected side benefits and understand how people derive pleasure from the technology they use. One of the studies looked into teenagers and young children with disabilities who were using smartphones and laptops, as well as young adults who had been provided with technology at a young age, and explored the benefits of using the technology outside the traditional metrics. A more recent study looks at the use of smart speakers, smart displays, and smart home technologies by people with disabilities to assess their assistive potential. 

The team found that our current systems almost hold a bias about how much people with disabilities deserve the technology, focusing too intensely on the cost-benefit analysis. The focus is on filling a deficit, rather than allowing people to explore and discover what the technology can do for them, in a person-centred rather than service-centred approach. 

The panel session in Lecco was well attended, and the panellists expressed interest in pursuing the discussions to produce a policy paper by the end of summer. The purpose of that paper will be to outline the benefits of accessible consumer electronics to people with disabilities, their de-facto use and current self-funding, and recommendations on supporting a shift in national funding systems to include accessible devices in the provision of assistive technology. 

The panel was held during the Joint International Conference on Digital Inclusion, Assistive Technology & Accessibility (ICCHP-AAATE), which took place 13-15 July 2022 in beautiful Lecco, Italy. #ICCHP_AAATE_22

The conference programme can still be consulted at: https://icchp-aaate.org/

The panelists: 

• David Banes, Director of David Banes Access and Inclusion Services & DATEurope 
• Siobhán Long, Manager, National Assistive Technology & SeatTech Services, Enable Ireland
• Klaus Höckner, Director, Hilfsgemeinschaft der Blinden und Seeschwachen Österreichs
• Wei Zhang, WHO Assistive Technology Program
• Bryan Boyle , Lecturer, University College Cork

Can Accessible Consumer Tech Bridge the Gap in AT Provision?

Current mobile phones are very accessible and can help users with disabilities not only access the device and online services, but also their environment and improve participation in society. However, smartphones can be expensive and so far, do not qualify for funding. Is there a case to be made that smartphones are Assistive Technology and should be funded for certain user groups? 

Join our panelists from WHO, DATEurope, Enable Ireland, the Association in Support of the Blind and Visually Impaired Austria and University College Cork in discussing advantages of AT funding for accessible devices such as mobile phones, tablets, Wearables, as well as valid concerns and practical hurdles. 

Our speakers are: 

• David Banes, Director of David Banes Access and Inclusion Services & DATEurope
• Siobhán Long, Manager, National Assistive Technology & SeatTech Services, Enable Ireland
• Klaus Höckner, Director, Hilfsgemeinschaft der Blinden und Seeschwachen Österreichs
• Wei Zhang, WHO Assistive Technology Program
• Bryan Boyle‬ , Lecturer, University College Cork
• Sabine Lobnig, MWF, Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) 

The roundtable takes place as part of the Inclusion Forum of #ICCHP_AAATE_22 on Wednesday, 13 July 2022, 11:45: https://www.icchp-aaate.org/program#conf-day-1 

The discussions will serve as basis for a policy paper and a list of practical recommendations and joint action steps. Keep your eyes open for the publication of the session output. 

If you cannot attend in person, join our discussion on Twitter via @GARIupdates, following the hashtag #ICCHP_AAATE_22. 

Are smartphones assistive technology and where do I learn about the accessibility of my device?

The Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) has become our yearly sign post to report on the progress made with the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) over the past year and give a glimpse at our commitments going forward in advancing mobile accessibility for consumers with disabilities, older users, their families and carers. 

Current mobile phones are very accessible and can help users with disabilities not only access the device and online services, but also their environment and improve participation in society. However, smartphones can be expensive and so far, do not qualify for funding. For this reason, the MWF launched a research project in 2021, investigating whether assistive consumer electronics could be considered assistive technology and hence would qualify for national AT funding. 

The research outcomes provide valuable input to discussions with policy makers on how to get people with disabilities better access to the technology that can help them – independent on whether it is classified as assistive technology or accessible mainstream devices. Furthermore, four academic publications are under preparation, which will inform the accessible ICT research agenda in this area. 

The GARI user survey showed that the wish for more information on how to use the accessibility features in the devices, remains constantly high. The MWF hence continued the series of short 1-2 minute videos, explaining where to find accessibility features in the device and how to activate them. The videos published to date can be found on the GARI website and YouTube channel. To date, 37 feature videos have been published covering both Android and iOS platforms. The MWF also started publishing feature videos for connected wearables. First videos include ‘Adjust Text Size’ for the Apple Watch and Smartwatch, “VoiceOver”, “Grayscale” and “Reduce motion”.

If you want to know more about insights made with the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative last year and planned milestones for GARI in 2022, have a look at our GARI Annual Report 2021: https://www.mwfai.org/docs/eng/GARI%20%2D%202021%20Annual%20Report%2Epdf 

Are smart phones assistive technology? …. the 2021 GARI research project

Current mobile phones are very accessible and can help users with disabilities not only access the device and online services, but also their environment and improve participation in society. However, smartphones can be expensive and so far, do not qualify for funding. Is there are a case to be made that smartphones are assistive technology and should be funded for certain user groups? A 2021 research project looked into that. 

Today’s mobile phones include a long list of accessibility features that can support people with disabilities in accessing electronic content, using online services and participating in our increasingly online life. However, these devices can be expensive and people with disabilities often live in precarious economic situation, which increases the importance of funding to get access to technology. 

For this reason, the MWF in 2021 initiated a research project to investigate whether devices listed in GARI fulfil the requirements of assistive technology (AT) and could be eligible for national assistive technology funding. A team of researchers from the Global Universal Design Commission Europe (GUDC-EU), and David Banes Access and Inclusion Services analysed the current policy environment in six countries, analysed eligibility, approval, funding, and provision of assistive technology – checking against user needs, and developed initial indicators for the social return on investment (SRoI) for including mainstream consumer technology in AT provision schemes.

Their analysis of the key features that support accessibility for smartphones and tablets showed that these features focus on making the device more usable for people with disabilities and from this aspect do not directly fall under the definition of assistive technology. However, a comparison with international standards revealed that 25 of the over 130 features listed in GARI are assistive in nature and match the requirements laid out in the standards applicable for assistive technology. 

If the device is furthermore enhanced with a range of third-party products, including emerging technologies and innovative software, the complete package can be more clearly identified as assistive technology. Such a package is unlikely to be used by a person without a disability and therefore falls within the definition of assistive technologies.

The research further underlines the potential for AT to offer wider participation in employment for people with disabilities and increase their independence in everyday life. Mainstream AT devices supplied to people with disabilities based on their individual needs can widen the availability of support and choices based on each individual’s preference. The benefits of widening the reach significantly outweigh the cost of supporting funding for mobile assistive technologies.

Overall, GARI listed devices could bridge the gap in what is provided to people with disabilities and their specific needs. The GARI list describes many devices that can be helpful to people with disabilities having in mind that these devices are equipped with built-in accessibility features which are of great use and beneficial to people with disabilities. Supporting disabled people with access to AT can significantly reduce loneliness and allow them to be more active and participate in society.

To share the findings of this research more broadly, two publications in peer reviewed journals are currently under preparation. 

Enabling remote work for people with disabilities

The value and feasibility of remote work has become readily apparent during the pandemic and for some it can mean the difference in even being able to take part in the workforce. 

In particular for people with disabilities, remote work can open up new opportunities by allowing them to work from home. But only if several basic conditions are fulfilled. In a side event to the 14th Conference of States Parties to the CRPD – COSP14 on 18 June 2021, the Zero Project and the ITU Office for Europe invited speakers from Austria, Spain, Switzerland and the UK to discuss “Remote working and the new elevated importance to build flexible work environments that facilitate People with Disabilities’ socio-economic inclusion”. 

A person with disability working from home, would ideally have an accessible device, work with accessible online content and take part in accessible online meetings. There are a few things necessary for that to happen. 

Firstly, the person needs to be aware of what kind of accessibility features are available and which one of those features can help in their personal situation. Then the person needs to understand what kind of devices have the needed features and thirdly, he or she would need to know how to use and make the most of them. 

The MWF tries to cover all three of those aspects in the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI). It is a central source of information for accessibility that allows you to search accessible mobile phones, tablets, apps, Wearables and Smart TVs. You can search for an accessible device depending on your specific needs, or you can have a look at the comprehensive list of available features – in the case of mobile phones a list of around 130 features. 

For people who need a general orientation before launching the search for a specific device, the MWF has also developed feature guides, which match available accessibility features to the WHO’s categories of impairment. For example, if you have moderate hearing loss, you will find 8-10 features listed for moderate hearing loss that can help users with this condition. 

Following the request of GARI visitors for more information on how to use the accessibility features, the MWF has additionally started to provide short videos explaining where the  features can be found and how to activate them. 

Each of these elements can help support people with disabilities in remote work, but in and of itself, they are not enough. Even if the person has an accessible device and knows what kind of feature will help them, making the most of these features within the workplace still requires another level of training. In this context, employers are challenged to provide the necessary remote IT support and to ensure the integration of their remote workers (with and without disabilities) into the established workflows. They also need to facilitate exchange among the employees for official and social conversations – both of which are crucial for a functioning work environment. 

GARI provides one part of the solution and the MWF wants to work with stakeholders that can provide the additional necessary components to create a truly accessible ecosystem. In this sense, we very much appreciated the opportunity to participate in this session organized by the Zero Project and the ITU Europe Office and are looking forward to future collaborations. 

More information

• The GARI project: www.gari.info 
• GARI accessibility feature videos
• Special Session on “Remote working and the new elevated importance to build flexible work environments that facilitate PwDs socio-economic inclusion”: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regional-Presence/Europe/Pages/Events/2021/COSP14/Default.aspx#msdynttrid=-jdodouBJwYFb4YD-eNhoZPi-wvA-YWK2e-IgPbQ1f0 

Over 70% of people find the accessible device they are looking for on GARI - just one stat from the latest Annual Report

Learn about the progress made with GARI in 2020, the number of devices in the database, new languages added and new videos explaining how to find and activate accessibility features in your device as well as what’s to come in 2021. 

The report starts off with an overview of key statistics from 2020: 

• over 63,500 unique monthly visits to the GARI website and database 
• 1,500+ devices listed with their accessibility information 
• 66% of advanced searches on GARI relate to hearing features
• 20 language versions of GARI
• 30+ manufacturers participating in GARI
• 82% of searches in GARI relate to mobile phones
• 14 videos on how to find and activate accessibility features in devices
• 70% of visitors to GARI find what they are looking for
• 40+ organizations and agencies around the world are actively using GARI 

After two years with the majority of users coming from Latin America, visitors from North America took the lead, following by Latin America, Europe and then in equal parts from Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. 

As important as it is to provide information on the accessibility features in devices, it is equally important to provide the information in ways that can be accessed as widely as possible. For this reason, the MWF has been working to constantly improve the way that the information is made available and in the languages that it can be accessed in. 

If you would like to listen to the report, we have also included an audio format called Speech Links, which you can access via the “play” button in the lower right corner of each page. You’ll find also a list of the Speech Links for direct access here below. 

Title page - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/c91502a7-f188-4e18-a89e-d4483a1b2223?size=72&title

2020 in numbers - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/243564d7-b5d6-47e8-844d-a3914eafa02f?size=72&title

Contents - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/02bcc3e6-9216-4ae1-a539-cee6916d984d?size=72&title

Page 1 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/4edd1022-3e61-48c1-a482-a8af58bf3e6c?size=72&title

Page 2 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/c13fe4b5-bb2c-4347-83b9-0f486ceaba63?size=72&title

Page 3 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/8311eb9d-8bf7-452c-b8c3-0803fb9742b2?size=72&title

Page 4 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/202db599-e93c-48dc-ab2a-049d6472d96d?size=72&title 

Page 5 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/b78f5e4b-7466-47c6-8e24-a666c02fe5a2?size=72&title 

Page 6 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/a81b2ae5-5e2a-4ab6-b33f-57be7db5be64?size=72&title 

Page 7 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/cc84e5d5-ae74-44f5-a6c9-8cfe920de995?size=72&title 

Page 8 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/3a494b4c-422d-4be7-a702-12b30e5df12c?size=72&title 

Page 9 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/8353e998-1f61-4b38-b028-8f44cc95b9c8?size=72&title 

Page 10 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/8d2280f0-cfdc-4caf-ba6b-6decd525d8b5?size=72&title 

Page 11 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/f437c357-1a17-4f93-b4bf-f03f93988bc6?size=72&title 

Page 12 - https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/8461dc48-59eb-4dd8-b376-9da4c9052189?size=72&title 

Back page: https://speechcode.eu/embed/audio/d54a306c-c99b-4a86-993c-6bca6bc7131d?size=72&title 

You can access and download the GARI Annual Report 2020 here: http://www.mwfai.org/docs/eng/MWF%5FGARI%20Annual%20Report%202020%2Epdf