(November 2, 2006, Beijing) Today the Third China Information Accessibility Forum was held in Beijing. The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII), China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), China Foundation for Disabled Persons (CFPD), and the Internet Society of China, and co-sponsored by IBM. The forum’s theme was to "Promote Innovative Science and Technology, Establish an Accessible Information Environment." Attendees discussed the status of accessibility standards and regulations in China and accessibility trends in technology innovation.
For the first time, the forum highlighted the global importance of accessibility by including North American leaders in accessibility initiatives including Andy Imparato, CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, David Dikter, managing director of the Assistive Technology Industry Association and Keith Bain, international manager of the Liberated Learning Consortium, who all spoke of the worldwide progress in accessibility and the importance of sharing best practices. UNESCO and well-known global corporations also participated. Mr. Deng Pufang, Chairman of the CDPF and CFDP spoke on the importance of accessibility for the building of harmonious society in China, and addressed that the advancement of accessibility needs an ecosystem of government, standards bodies, private sector, NGOs, universities, etc., all working together.
"Accessibility," as it relates to information technology (IT), is about removing barriers that inhibit access to information, so that all people-including people with disabilities (PwDs) and maturing citizens-can use and benefit from IT. In China, experts estimate that there are approximately 60 million people living with some kind of disability. In China’s rapidly developing society, lack of accessible information and technology can put many PwDs and maturing citizens at a disadvantage, making accessibility a topic of critical importance.
In the opening ceremony, Frances West, Director, IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center (HA&AC), discussed IBM’s commitment to supporting the advancement of accessibility in China. She provided an overview of IBM’s commitment to working with governments and businesses in various countries to:
- Foster innovation in the research and development of accessible IT products and solutions to generate value for governments and businesses.
- Help drive the collaborative development of accessibility standards and regulations to benefit the greatest number of people worldwide. IBM is currently active in over 30 standards organizations and industry associations.
- Promote and emphasize the importance of accessibility worldwide.
Also speaking from IBM was Andi Snow–Weaver, leader of accessibility standards for the HA&AC, who discussed the progress of regulations and standards development in different countries, particularly in China, and Benjamin Kempner, IBM HA&AC Program Director, Marketing and Strategy, who discussed the business value of accessibility, highlighting how businesses can improve employee productivity, extend market reach, boost revenue opportunities, and potentially avoid costly accessibility related litigation
IBM has worked diligently to help advance the accessibility initiative in China. For instance, IBM has cultivated strategic relationships between CDPF and CFDP, with cooperation from MII and the Internet Society of China; helped strengthen the promotion of accessibility to enhance public awareness; and offered both significant experience as well as innovative, accessible technology solutions to the region. In the last year, IBM has also
- Co-sponsored an event with CDPF, CFDP and China Braille Press, that trained thousands of blind citizens to use computers.
- Donated Web Adaptation Technology (WAT), which enables people who have vision, cognitive, or hand limitations to customize the way Web pages are presented to them, to partners like China Weekly for the Aging and the oldkids.com.cn.
- Leveraged extensive multi-industry accessibility knowledge to help the Beijing Chaoyang District Government as it develops an Accessibility Program that will ultimately support significant international ceremonies like the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World Expo.
- Sponsored the 2006 IBM Accessibility ODF Challenge to encourage university students to learn more about the importance of accessibility. China was one of four competing countries.
"At IBM, we believe accessibility is about all of us, not just one segment of the population. By promoting ongoing innovation in accessibility-and by continuing to encourage cooperation and collaboration throughout a complex ecosystem of governments, non-government organizations, standard organizations, industry associations, enterprises, academic and research institutions, and individuals-we can reach an even broader goal of societal transformation" stated Frances West. "IBM is committed to establishing a long-term relationship with the Chinese government, enterprises and organizations to ensure accessibility progress in China and around the globe."
More information about the IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center can be found at www.ibm.com/able