European Year of People with Disabilities

3.6.5 Information Society

In Europe there is an increasing trend towards greater utilization of information technology. Several studies have underlined the positive attitudes of Europeans towards new information and communication technologies such as Internet, mobile phones, personal computers and e-commerce. According to the Social Situation Report in Europe, it was found that 3 European out of 4 claim that information technology would improve substantially his (her) quality of life. The younger generation (80%) and the more educated seem to be among the greatest enthusiasts.

As far as access to new technology is concerned, a Eurobarometer  survey showed that more than 60% of Europeans believe that public authorities should spend more money, in order to ensure better access to information society for all. 

Disabled people are often confronted with barriers in accessing ICT products and services. In particular, a great majority of these products are not designed as to ensure access of blind persons, deaf persons or persons with learning disabilities. Moreover adaptations are extremely costly.

According to our survey, telecommunication appears to be at the top of the list of the most accessible item followed by computer technology and Internet. However it is to be noted that not all groups of disabled people experience problems in access to telecommunications.

Inversely the majority of organisations of disabled people interviewed considered e-commerce as inaccessible, and gave 2,4 points out of a 10 scale value (See diagram 47). Companies should reflect whether they are not excluding a relevant percentage (at least 12%) of their potential consumers.

Diagram 47
 

Diagram 48 - 51

In the diagrams above (48-51), the barriers to computer technology, telecommunications, Internet, and e-commerce are analysed. In particular the results of our research highlight that the most important barriers are the high cost of hardware and web access, the lack of training facilities or courses, and finally the lack of accessible services/products, which is particularly relevant in the area of e-commerce.

Due to different levels of technological development in the Member States we further investigated country differences in the access to telecommunications to computer technology, the use of Internet, and e-commerce among disabled people (see diagrams  52-55). The scores received for the assessment telecommunication accessibility ranged from 4.9 in Spain and France to 7.3 in Italy. In the case of computer technology the scores varied from 3.4 in Greece to 6 in Italy. In the case of overall accessibility to Internet, Greece came up with the least score of 3.1 points and Italy with Spain the highest with 5.4 points. Finally the overall accessibility to e-commerce is 2,4 with most of the countries ranging from 1,5 to 2 points.


Diagrams 52 -55

 

Information and communication technology- main findings Disabled people could benefit greatly from ICT developments, but are unfortunately often confronted to barriers in accessing ICT products and services. These barriers are mostly relating to high cost of hardware and Internet access, to the lack of training facilities, and the lack of accessibility of services and products. Furthermore assistive technology devices, often used to compensate for the lack of accessibility of these products, are in most cases expensive and not reimbursable.  Overall, according to the respondents to our survey, telecommunications appear to be at the top of the list of the most accessible items, followed by computer technology.  Access to e-commerce is particularly limited with a value of 2,4 on a 10-scale value.

 

3.6.6 Availability of Social Services

During the second half of the twentieth century European Governments  have implemented welfare policies towards greater provision of health and social services to meet the "needs" of disabled people. For a long period after the Second World War, people with multiple impairments used to live away from their family environment and they were looked after, at residential institutions, which absorbed the bulk of funding for social care. The less severe cases were living at home at the expense of the household. In both cases disabled people faced dependency on either the institution or the family. Support for independent living was not available. 

Legislative reforms on disability changed considerable this mentality by developing several community services and introducing disability benefits and payments, allowing for a greater independence and choice for disables person, and for a gradual reform in the nature of the social services available.  

In our survey, we have selected a list of services for disabled people, which included:

• Specialised rehabilitation and vocational training centres

• Day care centres

• Assistive technology centres

• Special Transport services

• Personal Assistance

• Supported/Sheltered Housing

• Independent Living Centres

 
and we asked the respondents to evaluate the existing infrastructure of services by distinguishing between:

• No services,

• Inadequate services and

• Adequate services.

The results (reported in diagram 56) indicate a considerable lack of services or a poor functioning of these in most of the cases.

The results show a critical lack of services contributing to a more autonomous and inclusive life such as, independent living centres, supported and sheltered housing, day care centres, assistive technology services, and personal assistance. Moreover where these exist a majority considers them as inadequate. This is particularly relevant in the area of independent living centres, which exist for only less than 56% of the population considered, and are adequate only for 22% of those benefiting from them. 

Even in the case of specialised rehabilitation and vocational training centres, which are available for over 82% of the respondents, only 40% of them consider the services adequate. In the case of special transport services, 70% find them insufficient. A similar evaluation is given for personal assistance services, which do not meet the needs of people with disabilities. 


Diagram 56
 

Availability of social services – main findings In this section the availability and functioning of social services targeted at disabled people and families with a disabled person was examined. Particular relevance was given to services promoting social participation and independence. These included: specialised rehabilitation and vocational training centres, day care centres, assistive technology centres, special transport services, personal assistance, supported sheltered housing, independent living centres. The majority of respondents reported a considerable lack of social services. This is particularly true of the services contributing to a more autonomous and inclusive life, which are still scarce in many countries.  Where these services exist, they are considered in most cases inadequate. This was the case in particular of specialised rehabilitation and vocational training centres, special transport services, independent living, and personal assistance.