[2] It should not be conceived of as an effort to advance a single solution for everybody, but as a user-centred approach to providing products that can automatically address the possible range of human abilities, skills, requirements, and preferences.
These products and services must be capable of accommodating individual user requirements in different contexts of use, independent of location, target machine, or runtime environment.
For a thorough discussion of the challenges and benefits of Design for All in the context of ICT, see also the EDeAN White Paper (2005)[3] and the "Report on the impact of technological developments on eAccessibility"[4] of the DfA@eInclusion project.
[5] The European Commission Communication on e-Accessibility,[6] identified a core of practical challenges, as well as market, legal and policy issues towards improving eAccessibility and e-Inclusion in Europe, and elaborated a three-fold approach based on: In that respect, the challenges that need to be addressed include: The present policy context of accessibility in the Information Society in Europe is the i2010 initiative.
In 2002, the European Union adopted a new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services, covering all forms of fixed and wireless telecoms, data transmission and broadcasting.
In the US, Australia, Japan and in the European Union more and more legislative actions are put in place to require public bodies and companies to make sure that their products and services are accessible and usable not only by "standard" users but also by others such as elderly persons or people with an impairment.
The net result of this need for standards is that nowadays many standardisation initiatives are stimulated (= subsidised) by public bodies or, in Europe, directly and indirectly by the European Commission.
Four major recent strategies can be distinguished: ETSI Guide Human Factors (HF); Guidelines for ICT products and services; "Design for All".
The application domains of Design for All in the context of ICT, practically include every field involving Information and Communication Technologies.
The significance of the application domains reflects their role in establishing a coherent and socially acceptable Information Society, but also the diverse range of human activities affected.
These are expected to be used in increasingly different contexts, including public places, homes, classrooms, etc., and provide the means for ubiquitous and nomadic access.
Smart environments will progressively penetrate a wide range of human activities in hospitals, hotels, public administration buildings, etc.
Finally, a broad range of transaction services (e.g., banking, advertising, entertainment), social services for the citizens (e.g., administration, health care, education, transport), and electronic commerce applications, will become increasingly important in reshaping business and residential human activities (...) security, privacy and control are central themes in the evolution of a socially acceptable Information Society and should receive immediate attention.
Following the general rules for CEN workshops, it offers all interested stakeholders an opportunity to discuss and improve this DfA curriculum for ICT professionals.
The project aims to develop an adaptable web browser interface for people with reduced cognitive skills, which can be used at home and at work.
The project seeks to develop a universal remote console that will allow networked access to everyday appliances in the home.
CogKnow aims to develop and prototype a cognitive prosthetic device to help those struggling with dementia to perform their daily activities.
The aim is to develop technology platforms that allow elderly and disabled people to continue living in their own homes and stay in their communities.
The project aims at creating modeling and simulation supporting tools to optimize user interaction design and accessibility and usability validation process when developing Ambient Assisted Living solutions.
The project develops an integrated technological platform that seamlessly links up the different products and services for social inclusion, for support in daily life activities, for early risk detection, for personal protection from health and environmental risks, for support in mobility and displacements within his neighbourhood/town, all of which make a life of freedom worth living within their families and within the society.