Improving access to information and information systems
With the advent of new Information Communication Technology (ICT), the potential to access information and to communicate across the world is unparalleled. However the very changes and developments that should enable inclusion could well end up excluding people with a sight problem.
Badly designed websites may be inaccessible to people using screen readers, users will not be able to increase the font size or alter the contrast or technologies will not converge to enable blind and partially sighted users to pick and choose the combinations of ICT equipment they want to use.
RNIB wants to ensure that blind and partially sighted people can seize the opportunities of the Information Society. One of our main campaign areas at EU level is therefore about access to information.
We have established a close working relationship with DG (Directorate General) Information Society at the European Commission. During a major Presidency event in Riga in 2006, Commissioner Reding presided over the Riga eInclusion Ministerial Declaration. This has given focus to the EU's work on eInclusion over the last three years. However, the Commission has so far failed to propose legislation on eAccessibility and we are continuing our lobbying in order to address this.
General access to information
We are working to encourage the European Institutions to improve the accessibility of their information and to make it available in alternative formats upon request. We have together with our European Blind Union partners produced the "European Blind Union access to information guidelines." This booklet explains in easy to understand language how information should be presented so that it is accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
We are using European consultations and European Parliament initiatives to highlight the issues of accessibility of the information society for blind and partially sighted people to the European Institutions.
We have also been pushing for accessibility of public and private websites in responses to European level consultations and European Parliament initiatives. RNIB is a member of the influential EuroAccessibility Consortium.
Accessible pharmaceutical labelling campaign
Of course, access to information does not only mean access to accessible ICT. It also refers to access to information through more traditional means and RNIB does not forget this.
During 2003, we were successful in our campaign to use the Directive on Pharmaceutical Products to make medicines more accessible to blind and partially sighted people. As a result, the new pharmaceutical labelling laws that came into force on 30 October 2005 require that all drugs which are licensed from then on must have the product name printed in braille on the packaging. The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) must also be made available in accessible formats.
RNIB continues to work with the pharmaceutical industry and with the MHRA (the government body responsible for the implementation of the directive in the UK) to ensure that the directive is delivered. Blind and partially sighted people should now be able to take medicine in confidence, without worrying whether they are taking the correct dosage or tablets.