Digital accessibility for all

Using Internet may facilitate the access to labour market and improve the comfort of life, still the providers of telecommunication services do not adjust their websites to the needs of the disabled and the existing legal frames do not impose such obligations. Therefore NRAs need to create effective policies, which motivate the providers to introduce solutions granted to the people with disabilities both on Internet sites/mobile applications (digital accessibility) and in points of sales and customer service (architectural accessibility). A project implemented by the Polish Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) assumes a recurrent monitoring of websites, mobile applications and points of service but also promotion of best practices and educational activities directed not only at the operators themselves but also the end users.
The second, equally important aspect are digital competences, safe and creative use of emerging technologies, ICT, knowledge of programming principles in order to increase the opportunities for active participation in both social and professional life. UKE runs educational campaigns people with disabilities - our offer (classes in Polish Sign Language) is mainly addressed to deaf people, but children with physical and intellectual disabilities also participate.

http://www.uke.gov.pl/en/newsroom/ranking-of-the-accessibility-of-websites-of-telecommunications-companies,119.html

• Poland

• People with disabilities
• youth, children, telecomunication services providers

The project run from December 2016, when the websites of large operators were examined. After the analysis, the operators were provided with guidelines on the necessary changes, and then the websites underwent another audit, the results of which were included in the study. The project ended with a survey of the websites of smaller operators, which lasted until December 2017. UKE plans to continue monitoring operators’ activities regarding accessibility issues.

The Internet should be accessible to all citizens, including people with disabilities. Freedom in using the services provided by telecommunications operators can significantly influence the activity both in social and professional life.

Lack of access to information published on the websites of telecommunications companies for people with special needs is a limitation of the basic right of access to information and may lead not only to digital but also social exclusion. Therefore NRAs need to create effective policies, which motivate the providers to introduce solutions granted to the people with disabilities both on Internet sites/mobile applications (digital accessibility) and in points of sales and customer service (architectural accessibility).