ITU organized a gathering on accessibility of electronic communications to people with disabilities

ZAGREB, 14 April 2015 – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organized in Geneva rapporteur group meetings on accessibility of telecommunications/information and communications technology (ICT) to people with disabilities and people with special needs. This meeting relies on the provisions of the 2008 United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
 
The objective of the meeting was to promote and implement services and solutions enabling easier and more quality accessibility of telecommunications/ICT to people with disabilities and special needs and to persons with difficulties in reading and writing taking into account the assessment of costs and comparison of available technological solutions.  
 
Special emphasis was placed on regional policy necessary for overcoming the difficulties faced by people with disabilities when accessing telecommunications/ICT and on legislative changes necessary for their implementation.
 
HAKOM pays special attention in its work to accessibility of electronic communications to persons with disabilities which is why HAKOM’s support programme includes, in addition to measures that must be ensured by operators to people with disabilities, some services and solutions intended for people with disabilities, such as:
 
-content of the website of the Croatian Public Health Institute adjusted for blind and visually impaired persons, 
-personal therapist project which ensures individualized approach to persons requiring rehabilitation,
-internet advertising for people with disabilities.
 
More about the meeting and topics concerning the accessibility of services to people with disabilities is available at ITU’s website: http://www.itu.int/net4/ITU-D/CDS/sg/rgqlist.asp?lg=1&sp=2014&rgq=D14-SG01-RGQ07.1&stg=1

ABOUT HAKOM: HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary competencies in market regulation.