November 2008
12/02/09 16:50
November 2008: European e-Inclusion Ministerial Conference and Exhibition, Vienna...blunt speaking from blind charity RNIB is countered by manufacturers
I was invited by the European Commission in Brussels to help co-ordinate a stand at this event, which brought together e-Inclusion leaders from governments, including a number of ministers of state, representatives of large sectors of industry including CE companies, software companies and specialists in usability related issues. Also present were representatives of academia and the voluntary sector.
Our stand related to the current state of digital television from blind charity RNIB’s perspective and there was something of an upset over the charity’s message that blind people would find digital television, with its multiple channel offerings, more complicated than dear old analogue’s 4 – 5 channels.
Sony, Philips, Panasonic and Microsoft were able to show that whilst the RNIB message may have been accurate, they were working hard on developing solutions for those consumers who have sight impediments.
Some of these products may not necessarily be on the market, but when technologies like audio description are rolled out across Europe the manufacturers, subject to Open Standards, will be supplying consumers a solution.
Also on the stand was a Commission lead project called DTV4ALL which was showing how possible future solutions could help the consumer in the near future by using a derivative of Broadband services.
The fact is the UK is way ahead of the rest of Europe in presenting solutions for those sectors of society with disabilities.
An example of this is Ofcom, the UK regulator, which has required UK digital broadcasters to broadcast an agreed percentage of content with subtitling, audio description and signing.
This in conjunction with the BBC and to a lesser extent other broadcasters has meant that the manufacturers can build product to receive these services knowing that the broadcasters are committed to deliver services like audio description.
This perpetual circle, while challenging for the UK, has not been put into place to the same extent in large parts of Europe. So whereas the UK’s RNIB’s strap line could have been perceived as argumentative from a UK perspective, from a European view it is entirely accurate.
Ironically, manufacturers are very keen to build-in improved usability.
An ageing demographic means that if someone aged 70 buys a new flat panel TV it would be expected that during its life span the consumer with some deterioration in sight or hearing would want their purchase to be able to improve their viewing or listening experience.
A representative of one of the major CE companies present (who has never been to a big conference of this type) told me that their eyes have been opened to the sheer size of this market challenged issue. He would try to communicate upwards to his management the potential sales opportunity but nevertheless, technically challenging task ahead.
The key agenda now for all interested parties and in particularly the Commission, is to find a way of maintaining this momentum because it would be very easy to let it stop only to regret it later.
What is required from Governments and user groups is to maintain constant pressure on broadcasters and manufacturers to deliver improved services voluntarily and for manufacturers to understand that there is a justifiable commercial opportunity out there.
I was invited by the European Commission in Brussels to help co-ordinate a stand at this event, which brought together e-Inclusion leaders from governments, including a number of ministers of state, representatives of large sectors of industry including CE companies, software companies and specialists in usability related issues. Also present were representatives of academia and the voluntary sector.
Our stand related to the current state of digital television from blind charity RNIB’s perspective and there was something of an upset over the charity’s message that blind people would find digital television, with its multiple channel offerings, more complicated than dear old analogue’s 4 – 5 channels.
Sony, Philips, Panasonic and Microsoft were able to show that whilst the RNIB message may have been accurate, they were working hard on developing solutions for those consumers who have sight impediments.
Some of these products may not necessarily be on the market, but when technologies like audio description are rolled out across Europe the manufacturers, subject to Open Standards, will be supplying consumers a solution.
Also on the stand was a Commission lead project called DTV4ALL which was showing how possible future solutions could help the consumer in the near future by using a derivative of Broadband services.
The fact is the UK is way ahead of the rest of Europe in presenting solutions for those sectors of society with disabilities.
An example of this is Ofcom, the UK regulator, which has required UK digital broadcasters to broadcast an agreed percentage of content with subtitling, audio description and signing.
This in conjunction with the BBC and to a lesser extent other broadcasters has meant that the manufacturers can build product to receive these services knowing that the broadcasters are committed to deliver services like audio description.
This perpetual circle, while challenging for the UK, has not been put into place to the same extent in large parts of Europe. So whereas the UK’s RNIB’s strap line could have been perceived as argumentative from a UK perspective, from a European view it is entirely accurate.
Ironically, manufacturers are very keen to build-in improved usability.
An ageing demographic means that if someone aged 70 buys a new flat panel TV it would be expected that during its life span the consumer with some deterioration in sight or hearing would want their purchase to be able to improve their viewing or listening experience.
A representative of one of the major CE companies present (who has never been to a big conference of this type) told me that their eyes have been opened to the sheer size of this market challenged issue. He would try to communicate upwards to his management the potential sales opportunity but nevertheless, technically challenging task ahead.
The key agenda now for all interested parties and in particularly the Commission, is to find a way of maintaining this momentum because it would be very easy to let it stop only to regret it later.
What is required from Governments and user groups is to maintain constant pressure on broadcasters and manufacturers to deliver improved services voluntarily and for manufacturers to understand that there is a justifiable commercial opportunity out there.