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G3ict

Qualitative Data Collected by Variable for United Kingdom

Country Laws and Regulations

General Law protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

Definition of ICT accessibility:

  • This element would fall inside making employment and services accessible to persons with disabilities UK Legislation 2010/15
  • The concept of Reasonable Adjustment within the Equality Act 2010 Equality Act 2010

Definition of Reasonable Accommodation:

N/A

Universal Service Obligation includes Persons with Disabilities:

N/A

Country Capacity to Implement

  • Government agency for Persons with Disabilities:

Equality Human Rights

  • Government agency for accessible ICTs:

Government Digital Services GDS

  • Process to involve DPOs in ICT accessibility policy making:

N/A

  • Country refers to international ICT accessibility standards:

ITU Standards, WCAG, British Standards, ISO

ICT accessibility courses available at universities or professional education services:

N/A

Country Policy and Programs Outcomes

  • Web:

-Country Policies: The Equality Act of 2010 combined several equal access acts and regulations, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The disability-related language of the act makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities in connection with employment, the provision of goods, facilities and services or the disposal or management of premises

-The British Standard (BS 8878) 2010 by the British Standards Institute, which provides guidance for organizations on how to comply with web accessibility requirements. These standards address websites, apps, email, and cloud-based products.

-Additional regulations were also passed into law in 2018. The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 covered public sector websites and mobile apps.

-Web Accessibility and the DDA

  • TV and multimedia:

-Country Policies: This establishes out what broadcasters must do to allow hearing and visually impaired consumers to access TV content. Television access services code

These access service reports show whether broadcasters are meeting their requirements to make their content accessible. Broadcast TV access service reports

This area includes reports which set out the extent to which on-demand program services (ODPS) carried subtitles, audio description or signing. Video on-demand accessibility

Annual reports on EPG accessibility- Accessibility of Electronic Programme Guides

  • Mobile telephony:

N/A

  • E-books and digital contents:

-Country Policy: The main pieces of legislation publishers need to be aware of are: the Equalities Act 2010 (Legislation.gov.uk, 2017a), the UK Copyright and Rights in Performance (Disability) Regulations 2014 (Legislation.gov.uk, 2017b), and the Marrakesh Treaty (wipo.int, 2017).

The UK Copyright and Rights in Performance (Disability) Regulations 2014 include an exception to copyright for those persons with print disability. This allows the persons with disabilities to make copies of works for personal use – which does not apply to works that are accessible and commercially available on reasonable terms by, or with, the copyright owner. This exception also allows authorized bodies – either educational establishments or not‐for‐profit bodies acting for those with print impairment – to make and supply accessible copies to print‐impaired people.

-Country Program: For most publishers, EPUB 3 is the file format of choice for digital content, and it remains the recommended file format of choice for mainstream accessible material. The newly developed accessibility specification, Accessibility 1.0, within the EPUB standard, aims to provide guidance on making EPUB publications accessible by setting formal requirements.

  • Promoting the Internet Availability and Usage among Persons with Disabilities:

N/A

  • Inclusive ICTs for all in education:

-Country Policies: Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA)

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) was introduced as an amendment to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) and forms part 4 of the act. Full text of the act: Special Educational Needs and Disability Act, 2001

The Act introduces provisions for persons with disabilities in education in England, Wales and Scotland. It aims for "comprehensive enforceable civil rights" for persons with disabilities in pre- and post-16 education in England, Scotland and Wales. It has major implications for further education institutions, for the way the curriculum is delivered, and students are supported.

The new rights came into force on 1 September 2002, with two exceptions:

  • The provision of auxiliary aids and services will be covered from 1 September 2003
  • Alterations to physical features will be covered from 1 September 2005

  • Enabling ICTs for all in employment:

N/A

  • E-government and Smart Cities for all:

-Country Program: UK disability benefits helpline.

Mobile applications that support persons with disabilities, especially in mobility issues.

Gov.uk one-stop eGovernment portal in the UK presents a wealth of information about disability services in one place, e.g. legal documents, links to advisory services and many services are available to citizens with disabilities through their account.

  • Enabling Assistive Technologies and ICTs for independent living:

N/A

  • Procurement of accessible public goods and services for all citizens:

N/A