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2011
Conference Paper
Titel
Challenging the implementation of eAccessibility in the information society: The eAccess+ network
Abstract
Objective. This paper presents the work of the eAccess+ network. The network intends to involve stakeholders along their product value chain to implement eAccessibility, and particularly those who did not show interest in taking up eAccessibility thus far. The paper outlines the approach taken to foster the implementation of eAccessibility. As eAccessibility by nature is a broad field, the network focuses on selected aspects of a) web accessibility, b) accessible convergent communications and accessible digital audio-visual systems and c) self-service terminals (SSTs) and devices for banking and financial services, public transport, tourism, cultural heritage and e-government. Main Content. Over the last years a considerable body of know-how, guidelines, techniques and tools became available to support eAccessibility. Awareness has increased and legal regulations have been implemented. But still the implementation of eAccessibility is scarce. eAccess+ intends to contrib ute to overcome this situation by contacting and networking with stakeholders responsible for the implementation of eAccessibility. The approach of eAccess+ is centered on the so called eAccessibility Hub: Many resources and a lot of expertise are already available but they do not enter practice and application. Users do not find them or do need guidance how to implement eAccessibility in practice. Therefore the Hub is not planned as "just another resource base". It provides a comprehensive overview and description of existing resources, establishes links to them and provides guidance for application. In addition, eAccess+ uses web based forms to contact stakeholders, in particular those who are not aware or reluctant in implementing eAccessibility, to get to know what is missing and what they expect or at least the reasons why they do not get involved so far. Results. Guidance to the existing body of knowledge and how to implement it will be provided using the eAccessibility Hub. Stakeholders, in p