Review of the report “Making Mobile Phones and Mobile Services Accessible for People with Disabilities”
In August 2012, the International Telecommunication Union and G3ict, the global initiative for inclusive ICTs, published a joint report, Making Mobile Phones and Mobile Communication Services for People with Disabilities (Making Mobile Phones and services accessible for Persons with disabilities "). The report contains information on what services, to date, mobile operators can offer for a special category of people with one or another disability.
This material is a brief overview of this report and is intended for a concise acquaintance with its contents, which may be useful for those who are not ready to independently study a rather voluminous document in search of interesting sections for themselves.
The full version of the report in English is available for download at http://g3ict.org/download/p/fileId_934/productId_191 (2.18 MB), and an unofficial translation into Russian is available at http://www.unic.ru/ news_inf / unic% 20mobile1.pdf(515 kB). Nevertheless, it is important to note that the mentioned translation contains a number of inaccuracies, often of a fundamental nature, therefore we do not recommend its literal use in the possible preparation of official documents based on this report. In particular, this remark applies to the translation of the title of the document.
The content of the report consists of eleven chapters.
The first chapter discusses the various functions that ensure the availability of mobile phones for people with certain restrictions, and the special services provided through mobile phones that can improve the quality of life of people in this category. In general, we are talking about a variety of hardware and software solutions, both built-in and delivered as a third-party solution.
The technologies under consideration are grouped into sections corresponding to various types of physical limitations, in particular for the deaf and hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired, with limited mobility, with cognitive impairment, illiterate or suffering from dyslexia.
The second chapter discusses some of the special services that people with disabilities can use. This is not always about specialized solutions developed specifically for this category of users. Often these are quite mass-oriented services, but they can provide significant assistance in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities.
In particular, the chapter discusses digital libraries, satellite navigation, relaying to convert information into a readable form, services that enhance self-service capabilities, the ability to call emergency services by a subscriber with certain physical impairments (speech, hearing, etc.), company services Technical support adapted for clients with disabilities.
The third chapter is devoted to a review of the industry of specialized software for mobile devices, designed to solve various problems of users with disabilities. In general, the chapter discusses both software to meet highly specialized needs, as well as for the installation of integrated home automation systems, as well as for solving educational problems.
Chapter four focuses on the socio-economic aspects of mobile accessibility. It emphasizes the importance of providers understanding the demographic situation in their target market. It is noted that currently there are great business opportunities in the field of solutions and services that increase the availability of mobile communications, as it is about meeting the needs of a large group of people with disabilities, elderly and illiterate people.
The fifth chapter continues the theme raised in the previous section of the report and contains a number of examples of successful business activities related to improving the availability of mobile phones and mobile network services. The topic is revealed on the example of several American, European and Japanese mobile operators.
The sixth chapter reviews various accessibility initiatives proposed by major international mobile phone manufacturers and carriers. The experience of such companies as Nokia, Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Google (within the framework of Android OS), Doro, Emporia Telecom and Sagem is considered.
The seventh chapter is devoted to consideration of the obligations of the states parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with regard to ensuring the availability of mobile phones and mobile services for people with disabilities. In general, the chapter is the most abstract of all and represents an overview of those sections of the Convention that directly or indirectly deal with information and communication technologies and their accessibility.
The eighth chapter discusses the role of various government organizations and services in the process of disseminating information and services for people with disabilities through assistive technologies for mobile platforms. In particular, the competencies of regulatory bodies in the field of telecommunications, social policy bodies and ministries that provide services in electronic form are examined.
The ninth chapter is devoted to a review of measures taken by various states to increase the availability of communication services for people with disabilities. Data are presented for Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the USA and the European Union as a whole.
The tenth chapter describes the measures that have proven to be most effective in terms of policies and practices for implementing the availability of communication services. In particular, it is about raising the awareness of key participants in the process, cooperating efforts, stimulating mobile operators and equipment manufacturers from the state and others.
The final eleventh chapter is devoted to existing information resources about assistive technologies on mobile platforms and available solutions for people with disabilities. It provides data on standards, national institutions and organizations, research associations and user communities.
In general, chapters 1, 2 and 3 are the most comprehensive in nature and crucial for understanding the very principles of using mobile technologies by people with disabilities. Therefore, it makes sense to read these first three chapters to everyone reading this report. In addition, they will be of most applied value to private developers of software and accessories.
Chapters 4, 5 and 6 are more focused on large manufacturers of mobile communication devices and mobile operators and are designed to convince them of the cost-effectiveness of accessibility of their products and services for people with disabilities. This block of the report, first of all, can be recommended to representatives of large businesses in the field of communication technologies.
Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 are more formal in nature and are oriented more toward government employees and members of public organizations, as they are devoted to various government measures to increase the availability of ICT. First of all, it makes sense to get acquainted with these chapters to the people responsible for the development and implementation of federal targeted programs to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, as well as to employees of various human rights and charitable associations.
Chapter 11 can serve as a brief reference guide for those who are interested in a deeper study of the accessibility of information and communication technologies for people with disabilities.
In general, to summarize, the report “Ensuring the availability of mobile phones and mobile communication services for people with disabilities” can be described as a rather informative document, combining a significant amount of data from various fields on the issue of accessibility of mobile communication technologies for people with disabilities. And although even at the time of its publication, the information contained in it was already outdated in a number of aspects, it can still serve as a very informative source for those who are new to mobile accessibility technologies.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that the report did not reflect some key concepts of accessibility technologies that lie in the plane of the global paradigms of rehabilitation of people with disabilities, so you should not take it as a self-sufficient document. With an integrated approach to solving the problems described in the report (both from the side of business and from the state), it would be right not only to limit it to resort to other studies in the field of accessibility, but also to consult experts.
In conclusion, unfortunately, it has to be noted that the Russian-speaking countries were not reflected in this report, since they do not have significant experience in this area and experience serious problems, often even in the implementation of the basic principles of mobile accessibility technologies. This applies both to the lack of specific targeted programs on the part of the state, as well as constructive initiatives on the part of mobile operators represented in these markets. In these countries, one can only note a number of spontaneously arising small projects implemented by private individuals, moreover, as a rule, on a voluntary basis.
This material is a brief overview of this report and is intended for a concise acquaintance with its contents, which may be useful for those who are not ready to independently study a rather voluminous document in search of interesting sections for themselves.
The full version of the report in English is available for download at http://g3ict.org/download/p/fileId_934/productId_191 (2.18 MB), and an unofficial translation into Russian is available at http://www.unic.ru/ news_inf / unic% 20mobile1.pdf(515 kB). Nevertheless, it is important to note that the mentioned translation contains a number of inaccuracies, often of a fundamental nature, therefore we do not recommend its literal use in the possible preparation of official documents based on this report. In particular, this remark applies to the translation of the title of the document.
The content of the report consists of eleven chapters.
The first chapter discusses the various functions that ensure the availability of mobile phones for people with certain restrictions, and the special services provided through mobile phones that can improve the quality of life of people in this category. In general, we are talking about a variety of hardware and software solutions, both built-in and delivered as a third-party solution.
The technologies under consideration are grouped into sections corresponding to various types of physical limitations, in particular for the deaf and hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired, with limited mobility, with cognitive impairment, illiterate or suffering from dyslexia.
The second chapter discusses some of the special services that people with disabilities can use. This is not always about specialized solutions developed specifically for this category of users. Often these are quite mass-oriented services, but they can provide significant assistance in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities.
In particular, the chapter discusses digital libraries, satellite navigation, relaying to convert information into a readable form, services that enhance self-service capabilities, the ability to call emergency services by a subscriber with certain physical impairments (speech, hearing, etc.), company services Technical support adapted for clients with disabilities.
The third chapter is devoted to a review of the industry of specialized software for mobile devices, designed to solve various problems of users with disabilities. In general, the chapter discusses both software to meet highly specialized needs, as well as for the installation of integrated home automation systems, as well as for solving educational problems.
Chapter four focuses on the socio-economic aspects of mobile accessibility. It emphasizes the importance of providers understanding the demographic situation in their target market. It is noted that currently there are great business opportunities in the field of solutions and services that increase the availability of mobile communications, as it is about meeting the needs of a large group of people with disabilities, elderly and illiterate people.
The fifth chapter continues the theme raised in the previous section of the report and contains a number of examples of successful business activities related to improving the availability of mobile phones and mobile network services. The topic is revealed on the example of several American, European and Japanese mobile operators.
The sixth chapter reviews various accessibility initiatives proposed by major international mobile phone manufacturers and carriers. The experience of such companies as Nokia, Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Google (within the framework of Android OS), Doro, Emporia Telecom and Sagem is considered.
The seventh chapter is devoted to consideration of the obligations of the states parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with regard to ensuring the availability of mobile phones and mobile services for people with disabilities. In general, the chapter is the most abstract of all and represents an overview of those sections of the Convention that directly or indirectly deal with information and communication technologies and their accessibility.
The eighth chapter discusses the role of various government organizations and services in the process of disseminating information and services for people with disabilities through assistive technologies for mobile platforms. In particular, the competencies of regulatory bodies in the field of telecommunications, social policy bodies and ministries that provide services in electronic form are examined.
The ninth chapter is devoted to a review of measures taken by various states to increase the availability of communication services for people with disabilities. Data are presented for Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the USA and the European Union as a whole.
The tenth chapter describes the measures that have proven to be most effective in terms of policies and practices for implementing the availability of communication services. In particular, it is about raising the awareness of key participants in the process, cooperating efforts, stimulating mobile operators and equipment manufacturers from the state and others.
The final eleventh chapter is devoted to existing information resources about assistive technologies on mobile platforms and available solutions for people with disabilities. It provides data on standards, national institutions and organizations, research associations and user communities.
In general, chapters 1, 2 and 3 are the most comprehensive in nature and crucial for understanding the very principles of using mobile technologies by people with disabilities. Therefore, it makes sense to read these first three chapters to everyone reading this report. In addition, they will be of most applied value to private developers of software and accessories.
Chapters 4, 5 and 6 are more focused on large manufacturers of mobile communication devices and mobile operators and are designed to convince them of the cost-effectiveness of accessibility of their products and services for people with disabilities. This block of the report, first of all, can be recommended to representatives of large businesses in the field of communication technologies.
Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 are more formal in nature and are oriented more toward government employees and members of public organizations, as they are devoted to various government measures to increase the availability of ICT. First of all, it makes sense to get acquainted with these chapters to the people responsible for the development and implementation of federal targeted programs to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, as well as to employees of various human rights and charitable associations.
Chapter 11 can serve as a brief reference guide for those who are interested in a deeper study of the accessibility of information and communication technologies for people with disabilities.
In general, to summarize, the report “Ensuring the availability of mobile phones and mobile communication services for people with disabilities” can be described as a rather informative document, combining a significant amount of data from various fields on the issue of accessibility of mobile communication technologies for people with disabilities. And although even at the time of its publication, the information contained in it was already outdated in a number of aspects, it can still serve as a very informative source for those who are new to mobile accessibility technologies.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that the report did not reflect some key concepts of accessibility technologies that lie in the plane of the global paradigms of rehabilitation of people with disabilities, so you should not take it as a self-sufficient document. With an integrated approach to solving the problems described in the report (both from the side of business and from the state), it would be right not only to limit it to resort to other studies in the field of accessibility, but also to consult experts.
In conclusion, unfortunately, it has to be noted that the Russian-speaking countries were not reflected in this report, since they do not have significant experience in this area and experience serious problems, often even in the implementation of the basic principles of mobile accessibility technologies. This applies both to the lack of specific targeted programs on the part of the state, as well as constructive initiatives on the part of mobile operators represented in these markets. In these countries, one can only note a number of spontaneously arising small projects implemented by private individuals, moreover, as a rule, on a voluntary basis.