Universal Access/Service for the Disabled

While ICTs can act as a powerful tool for empowerment of the disabled, lack of accessibility to standard means of communications can keep ICTs beyond the reach of persons with disabilities (PwDs). Most nations of the world include accessibility of at least public pay phones, if not individual connections, within the definition of Universal Access/Services. Many provide relay services for hearing and speech impaired persons.

In India Universal Service Obligation  is defined as the obligation to provide access to telecommunications services to people in rural and remote areas at reasonable and affordable prices. Needless to say,  this implies that all categories of rural population should be able to benefit from ICTs regardless of their physical/social/educational or economic status. 

India is also signatory to the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a member of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The latter  is committed to implementation  of the Convention.This was reaffirmed through approval of Resolution 70 at the WTSA-12 in Dubai last year. ITU's efforts in this regard are documented at http://itu4u.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/itu-celebrates-the-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities/

The Indian Universal Service Obligation Fund  had initiated a pilot project scheme for access to ICTs by the disabled in 2012 through a formal Expression of Interest, after due consultation with stakeholders. The scheme details are available at the link below. http://www.usof.gov.in/usof-cms/disabled.htm

Unfortunately, the response to the scheme was not very good. This is partly because USOF can fund only telecom service providers, who in turn were not eager to be the  project lead in such an effort. A more flexible approach allowing NGOs or disabled persons organisation (DPOs) to take the lead with active participation by USOF Administration to facilitate project formulation through collaboration with other stakeholders may have worked better.  An analysis of approach followed by USOF in this case, alternative approaches and advantages and pitfalls thereof can be seen at http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/asp/CMS/Events/2012/Nepal-PwDs/Presentation_GULATI.pdf

 It is hoped that Indian USOF will continue to prioritize access for the disabled. 

Universal Access to Emergency Services

A very important aspect of Universal Service is accessibility of services to persons with disabilities (PwDs), the aged and the illiterate. This is essential not only for day to day communications which can help in mainstreaming and empowering people with special needs but also for emergency communications. The majority of  countries include free access to emergency at least vis-a-vis payphones in their UA/US related regulations.
However, while ensuring access to  emergency numbers is critical the reverse communication by way of accessible emergency alerts can also help save many lives in disaster situations. Needless to say these sections of the population are extremely vulnerable during disasters. In this regard it is interesting to read a FEMA report on  Alerting the Whole Community: Removing Barriers to  Alerting Accessibility at http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=7599. This report also has an interesting observation to the effect that in the U.S text messaging is second the most preferred means of receiving emergency alerts for PwDs. Given the huge contrast between mobile and land line teledensities in India  this trend is a thought provoking one for policy makers and regulators in the area of disaster management and telecommunications.

Also of interest may be the recent Telecom Regulatory Authority of India consultation paper on Universal Single Number Based Integrated Emergency Communication and Response System which asks stakeholders whether SMS may be used for emergency access. The vast majority of stakeholders have agreed that this is important for the disabled.