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Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion.
Chair: Mark McCusker, CEO, Texthelp LtdPanelists: Dave Herr, Corporate Business Manager, TexthelpSusanna Laurin, CEO, FunkaDaryl Novak, Director of Operations, Southern Ontario Library Service
Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion
David HerrCorporate Business Manager
Texthelp
Digital Inclusion – What is it?
• Access to technologies e.g. mobile phones, computers, tablets, the internet, a broadband connection
• Using, and being able to use, the technologies that you have access to
• Having basic digital skills, that empowers individuals to be self-sufficient
• Allows participation beyond civic engagement to include e-learning
Global Awareness of Need
United Nations Pledge: to get everyone online by 2030…..
….but millions of world citizens need help
The Divide is widening…
• harder to find and get jobs
• Pay higher prices for goods & services that are offline
• Unequal access to public services
Barriers to Inclusion
• No physical access• Economically disadvantaged• Print disabled
DyslexiaMild visual impairmentsNon-native speakersLow literacyAging population
Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion
126 million US citizens lack the digital skills to access information or shop online independently
with confidence
Source: US Census Bureau
An Aging Problem Globally
• 1975 = 122 centenarians in Australia
• By 2055 = ?
Source: Intergenerational Report
An Aging Problem Globally
• 1975 = 122 centenarians in Australia
• By 2055 = 40,000 centenarians predicted
Source: Intergenerational Report
Overcoming the Barriers
• Assistive Technology can help– Screen readers for people who are blind or
seriously visually impaired
– Screen Magnifiers and Text Enlargers to help people with milder visual impairment
– Text Readers for people who have dyslexia or difficulty reading
Microsoft & Forrester Research
There is a negative correlation with disability and earning power.
– People who need Assistive Technology often cannot afford it.
There is a higher proportion of disabled people among lower socio-economic groups.
– People who cannot afford assistive technology are more likely to need it
Social Business Model
• Free at the point of use• Cost borne by the website owner• Economic benefits of being digitally inclusive
Assistive Technology Toolbar
Range of tools: Text-To-SpeechWritten and spoken translationText magnificationPage simplificationScreen maskingMP3 generationPersonalized settings
Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion
Susanna Laurin, CEO Funkasusanna.laurin@funka.com
Twitter @FunkaNu
Something is happening!
• Regulation on Procurement
• Proposed Web Directive
• Measuring methodology
• Section 508
• The future of WCAG
• Several national initiatives
Mobile is Missing
The Reality
• Business focus on mobile
• Conversion rates means user testing
• UX and accessibility go hand in hand
Smart 2014/0061
Monitoring methodologies for web accessibility in the European Union
The current situation
Trends in EU + 4
• New interface usually means better
• Economic crisis drives private sector
• Blind users in focus
• Far too little multi media in public sector
• Mobile lacks standards
The road to success
• Not too precise legislation
• Good policies and guidelines
• Competent industry
• Active user organizations
Removing barriers to digital inclusion
Design for all – what is the alternative?
Case Study
Daryl Novak
Director of Operations
Southern Ontario Library Service
1. Context– Ontario Public Libraries– Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS)– Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
(AODA)
2. Browsealoud, SOLS and public libraries
Ontario Public Libraries
• Ontario population 13.0 million +• North and south split• 191 libraries in south• As small as an on-reserve with a population of
250• As large as Toronto, 4th largest in NA, highest per
capita circulation in world• Provincial legislation; municipally funded &
operated at arm’s length
SOLS
• “QUANGO”• Non-membership based services, some free• ILLO and delivery• Training and development• E-resources and e-collections• Collective purchasing agreement (CPAs)
CPAs
• Vendors of record-tenders /sole source /broader public
• Preferred vendor• Terms and conditions• True DISCOUNTS
AODA
• Customer Service• Information and Communication• Employment• Transportation• Design of Public Space
Customer Service
• Accessible formats• Accessible websites• Emergency procedures• Public libraries
Browsealoud, SOLS & Public Libraries
• Vendor approach 2013, free access for SOLS• 13/14 – 20 libraries spent $60,000, saved
$13,600• 14/15 – 18 libraries spent $41,500, saved
$10,400• 15/16 – 29 to date!
Browsealoud, SOLS and Public Libraries
Average ‘hits’ 500-800 per library 183 SOLS
Vendor Support and Follow-up
• Annual statistics and updates• Marketing, webinars• Product enhancement and new product
development
Removing Barriers to Digital Inclusion
Thanks for listening!
Mark McCuskerCEO Texthelp
m.mccusker@texthelp.com
Dave HerrCorporate Business Manager, Texthelpd.herr@texthelp.com
Susanna LaurinCEO FunkaSusanna.laurin@funka.com
Daryl NovakDirector of Operations, SOLSdnovak@sols.org
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