Accessibility

There is an acute need for accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across the globe. Governments are responding by moving aggressively to develop national ICT accessibility policies to ensure that all citizens can participate in the digital society. As the leading global industry voice on accessibility, ITI strongly supports using technology to advance the goal of an inclusive digital society. ITI advocates for testing and certification mandates by identifying, prioritizing, and addressing the global public policy issues related to accessibility for the ICT sector.

ITI is working towards the international harmonization of procurement practices and technology standards for accessibility in order to create a reasonably uniform global playing field for technology companies and to ensure the availability of increasingly high quality accessible ICT for all people. Harmonized accessibility standards would create consistency and predictability in the global ICT marketplace, making it easier for purchasers to make "apples-to-apples" comparisons between products. They would help ensure that accessible solutions remain readily available by eliminating potential market barriers, and more affordable by allowing R&D costs to be spread over a larger number of unit sales. Ultimately, harmonization enables manufacturers to focus on responding to customer needs, encouraging innovation and competition to deliver the best solution.

ICT manufacturers face many challenges in achieving harmonization in accessibility, including markets in China, Japan and South America. The most immediate concern, however, is in Europe. The European Commission and Member States are facing significant pressure from consumer advocates to impose burdensome regulatory requirements on manufacturers, including mandatory certifications and third-party testing. Such mandates would drive up costs for everyone, including consumers with disabilities, while providing no net improvement in accessibility.

To advance digital inclusiveness in a cost-effective manner for industry, ITI's Accessibility division continues to actively engage the European Commission and the U.S. government to promote a harmonized approach to ICT accessibility, based largely on the successful U.S. standards created by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. This Act requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information and communication technology is accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information and resources for understanding and implementing the requirements of Section 508 please visit the US Access Board website.