Speaker's information
Eric VELLEMAN is director and specialised ICT accessibility researcher and trainer at the Bartiméus Accessibility Foundation. He has worked with (visually) impaired students and ICT for 14 years setting up solutions to the barriers they run into. He is advising the government and the industry on the accessibility of Internet and Internet-based multimedia. He is Member of the W3C Advisory Committee and member of different W3C Working Groups (WCAG and EOWG). He is a member of the EU eAccessibility Expert Group.
Information sur l'auteur
Eric VELLEMAN est directeur, enseignant/chercheur spécialiste de l'accessibilité à la fondation Bartiméus Accessibility Foundation. Il s'est occupé de technologies de l'information et de la communication et d'étudiants handicapés depuis 1990, mettant en place des solutions aux obstacles qu'ils rencontrent. Il est consulté par le gouvernement et l'industrie sur l'accessibilité de l'Internet et des Intranet. Il est membre du W3C Advisory Committee and membre de différents groupes de travail W3C/WAI (WCAG et EOWG). Il est membre du groupe d'experts européens sur l'accessibilité numérique ( e-Accessibility Expert Group).
Short paper
Introduction
The presentation underline the recent and rapid increase of commercial and administrative Web sites. A study conducted in 2004 in Europe shows that Online shopping has increased with 50% in one year, from 2003 to 2004. The participation of younger generation has considerably increased and 30% of shopping was outside the customers' own country
According to the Global eGovernment readiness report 2004, 90% of European countries offer information, databanks, legislation online, 30% offers online services
But most of them are not accessible to people with disabilities.
In fact, as demonstrated in a study conducted by the Dutch governement 1, e-accessibility may pay it off, not only for people with disabilities but also considering the Return on Investment. Accessibility may save money, generating up to 60% decrease in serverload, easier maintenance, making possible multi platform and multi modal access.
The 'Top of the Web' research by the Commission estimates that filling out income tax online saves Europeans a total of 7 million hours per year.
1 'Does eGovernment pay off?' research by Dutch Ministry of Internal affairs.
Quality Mark and evaluation scheme in the Netherlands
The Mission of the Bartimeus Accessibility Foundation is to ensure that people with disabilities and age-related impairments (and all of us) can enjoy "full citizenship" in the Information Society. The problem to solve is that purchasers, sellers and users need reliable information on accessibility and services to help them make informed decisions and clear communication. Thus, the creation of a web site and evaluation resources where stakeholders can obtain and share vital information on accessibility and control the quality of products and services can be a part of the solution. One objective is to provide harmonisation in the evaluation and the interpretation for the accessibility market by
- harmonising the accessibility standards for evaluation and interpretation
- promoting the exchange of information between all stakeholders
Concrete objectives are
- Conferences, interactive workshops, discussion lists and focus groups
- Representation from all stakeholders
- Promotion of best practices, like (V)PAT with control mechanism
- Identification of experts (designers, evaluators...)
- Increase of business response
Implementation
In order to realise these objectives a brochure and normative document where published
The drempelvrij.nl Quality Mark has been set up which is based on
- Transparant and clear'Normative document'
- Ensuring representation from all stakeholders
- Support websites (www.drempelsweg.nl for users and www.accessibility.nl for 'business')
Stimulation policy
A process has been set up in order to stimulate the Web Sites owners. When
their web sites are "0 - 12 checkpoints conformant" they receive a report
indicating problems and general solutions If they are "12 - 16 checkpoints
conformant", they can display an 'Orange' logo with link to PAT and complaints
procedure With "16 checkpoints conformant" they are allowed to display the
'Green' logo with link to PAT and complaints procedure
In addition to that companies having shown an expertise in accessibility are publicised on the Web site, as well as best practice examples.
Results after 2 years of evaluation and raising awareness
Like in most countries the percentage of accessible Web site remains very low in the Netherlands. We estimate that among 1.000.000 Dutch Web sites, not more than 30-40 are fully accessible. Nevertheless, it shall be emphasised that a better conformance with a few W3C/WAI guidelines could be observed. Also 4 government Web sites have be awarded with the Quality Mark.
A survey showed that general awareness of "Web accessibility" is quite good (85% in the population, 67% in companies), 350 organisations declared their Intent to improve the accessibility of their Web Sites. There is also an increasing demand for usability testing protocols.
