International Telecommunication Union
Communications by all means:
Accessibility for all in
telecommunications enabled by
multimedia standards
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
International Telecommunication Union
Communications by all means:
Accessibility for all in telecommunications
enabled by multimedia standards
Pierre-André Probst
Swisscom SA
Chairman ITU-T SG16 MM Systems, Services and Terminals
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
Workshop Objectives
ITU-T
o Review the status of standardization
o Learn about actions from society to promote
accessibility in ICT
o How the “Total conversation” concept can
open for efficient telecommunication between
people with different languages and
capabilities
o Promote the implementation of accessibility
standards
o Encourage people with disabilities to support
and contribute to the work in ITU-T
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
3
Where are we today?
ITU-T
o Not all can use telecommunications and
o
o
o
o
information technology
Solutions have been created nationally and
regionally while the telecom market is global
Most accessible solutions today are monomedia.
Standards exist for accessible multimedia
Accessible multimedia offer great benefits for
people with disabilities
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
4
Potential market
ITU-T
o About 10% of any population has a
disability that may need support from
accessible technology
o Families, friends and work-mates form
an important add-on market
o We live in an ageing world. Need of
accessible solutions increase by age.
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
5
Workshop Programme - Part 1
ITU-T
o Policy support for accessible personal
communication (G.Fagerberg, EU)
o Accessible MM Design for All: Users
role in DAISY Way
(H.Kawamura, Japan)
o Total Conversation through ITU-T
Standards (P.Jones, USA)
o Communications by all means
(G.Hellström, Sweden)
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
6
Workshop Programme - Part 2
ITU-T
o Providing Access to Services for new and
legacy Textphones (M.Day, UK)
o Accessible communication on the move
(M.Quinlan, UK)
o A new communication platform for deaf and
hard of hearing users
(B.Kleeb/U.Linder, Switzerland)
o Panel discussion:
“Can mainstream telecommunications be
accessible for all?”
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
7
ITU-T
Panel discussion:
“Can mainstream telecommunications be
accessible for all?“
Conclusions (1):
o Message to the users:
• Tell the market actors what you need.
• Accessible technology is available for all
needs.
• Efficient communication for you is of
value for society. A society for all.
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
8
ITU-T
Panel discussion:
“Can mainstream telecommunications be
accessible for all?“
Conclusions (2):
o Message to the civil society:
• Live as you learn – be accessible
• Accessible technology is available now
• Market forces may need a push from
society to get going
• Look for international solutions. Only
internationally interoperable solutions
fulfill requirements for
telecommunications for all.
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
9
ITU-T
Panel discussion:
“Can mainstream telecommunications be
accessible for all?“
Conclusions (3):
o Message to the operators:
• The accessibility market is bigger than
you think.
• You may find the eager forefront in
multimedia service usage among
disabled users
• Be open, promote international
interoperability in all media.
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
10
ITU-T
Panel discussion:
“Can mainstream telecommunications be
accessible for all?“
Conclusions (4):
o Message to the industry:
• Join in creating interoperable
multimedia standards for all.
• Compete in best implementation.
• Accessibility for all may be the next
movement among consumers
Workshop Accessibility II
ITU- Telecom World 2003
Geneva, 17 October 2003
11