ICTs should be available, affordable and accessible for all. Today, universal service, competition and associated issues of consumer protection and privacy have become all the more relevant given that digital technologies increasingly underlie the economic, social and political aspects of our lives. There is a need for international collaboration, cooperation and cross-cutting regulation.The author would like to discuss all these issues and invites comments. Disclaimer: Views are personal.
Archana has identified a very important aspect of UAS that is oftemn either forgotten or given low priority, and that is providing usable and affordable services to people with disabilities.
People with disabilities constitute one of the most under-utilised resources in most economies. Involving these people more deeply into society and the economy is a challenge for all countries, but is one that can be achieved more readily and effectively with appropriate ICT policy frameworks and industry leadership.
Accessible public payphone services is no longer enough. Ironically in many countries the mass revolution around mobile communications has undermined the public commitment to payphones in practice. However this is a case of one door closing and new doors opening.
Contibutory UAS/USO schemes may not be the best means of stimulating research and investment into new services and applications for the disabled. Government direct funding might be more appropriate in most cases as part of a borader commitment to proivide accessible and affordable services to all.
I commend Archana on her blog and on the important UAS/USO topics and issues that she has raised.
To address the issue of accessible ICTs cross departmental collaboration and involvement of the disabled community themselves is very important
ReplyDeleteArchana has identified a very important aspect of UAS that is oftemn either forgotten or given low priority, and that is providing usable and affordable services to people with disabilities.
ReplyDeletePeople with disabilities constitute one of the most under-utilised resources in most economies. Involving these people more deeply into society and the economy is a challenge for all countries, but is one that can be achieved more readily and effectively with appropriate ICT policy frameworks and industry leadership.
Accessible public payphone services is no longer enough. Ironically in many countries the mass revolution around mobile communications has undermined the public commitment to payphones in practice. However this is a case of one door closing and new doors opening.
Contibutory UAS/USO schemes may not be the best means of stimulating research and investment into new services and applications for the disabled. Government direct funding might be more appropriate in most cases as part of a borader commitment to proivide accessible and affordable services to all.
I commend Archana on her blog and on the important UAS/USO topics and issues that she has raised.
Jim Holmes