removing barriers to digital inclusion. chair: mark mccusker, ceo, texthelp ltd panelists: dave...

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