Future challenges for eInclusion Baltic IT&T forum 2005 in Riga

1. Future challenges for eInclusionBaltic IT&T forum 2005 in Riga Per BLIXT Unit eInclusion

2. LISBON STRATEGY + + + + SOCIAL INCLUSION of groups at risk Employment; productivity; job satisfaction Economic growth; wider markets Access to knowledge and eSkills eInclusion - BENEFITS e I n c l u s i o n

3. FP7 – ICT Context 1 • The EU Priorities for 2007-2013: Achieving the Lisbon goals • Sustainable development (competitiveness, cohesion and protection of natural resources) • European citizenship (freedom, justice, security, access to basic public goods) • Europe as a global partner (role on the international scene) • ICT has an essential role in achieving these priorities • ICT for sustainable growth / productivity • ICT for security • ICT for solidarity …

4. eInclusion in FP7 – OBJECTIVE A fully inclusive Information Society TARGET DOMAIN • All groups at risk of exclusion from the Info Society • Groups suffering from “unequal” opportunities address the full spectrum of the Digital Divide e.g.: social exclusion, poverty, race, immigration, etc. Several EXCLUSION FACTORS • Social environment (financial, educational, employment) • Geographical environment

5. ICT – Meeting Societal Demands Immigration Inclusion Flexible work patterns 24/7 economy Ageing population Cultural and societal diversity

6. Regulatory Framework Infrastructure Competence User Circumstances &Characteristics Access Motivation Services Social Model eInclusion: socio-technical components Demand Side Supply side

7. eInclusion – MISSION & ACTIVITIES Use ICT to foster equal participation of all citizens in the Information Society • Empower citizens to realize their full potential • Avoid new barriers & exclusions Near future • Research call 5 Open from May until mid September • Review the Communication Service Directives • CommissionCommunication on eAccessibility

8. Rationale for a Communication on eAccessibility • People with disabilities and older persons form a large group that represents about 20% of the population in Europe • Solutions are not emerging in a timely manner • Technical requirements and standards are currently developed for national use in a few countries EU intervention is justified to foster actions towards European-wide solutions.

9. Key Components of the Communication • Public Procurement • Certification • Legislation Develop and promote the use of harmonised European eAccessibility requirements in public procurement. Develop a certification scheme to guide and support the public in their choice of accessible products and services.. Legislation demanding accessibility does already exist in some Member States (e.g.: Italy, Spain, UK) as well as in the USA.

10. Future research concept • Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) • aims at extending the time older people can live in a decent way in their own home environment through use of advanced ICT and ambient intelligence concepts • more autonomy and self-confidence • monitoring and caring support systems • enhanced security at home AAL – Larger strategic concept in view of “i2010” Exploring work by 7 Member States AU, BE,CH, DE, FI, FR, IT • http://www.vdivde-it.de/AAL

11. Conclusions challenges for eInclusion • Understanding the Challenge • Use of ICT to provide relevant content and increase eSkills • Ensuring equal access and participation • Horizontal issues Socio-technological research on the role technology can play local and regional initiative Removal and prevention of technological barriers ICT policies, good practice, research and cooperation across MS

12. Many thanks for your attention Per Blixt www.cordis.lu/ist/so/einclusion

13. eInclusion

14. Global socio-economic challenges Higher economic growth Employment Enlarged Europe Increased global competition Off-shoring and out-sourcing Ageing population Open innovation Security concerns

15. Utilising ICTs for Reducing/Avoiding Inclusion eExclusion • Individual: • independent living • employment • social participation • life-long learning • health • consumption • Community/society: • new networks • social capital • democracy • collective action • cohesion Fighting exclusion Access to/ usage of ICTs Getting the benefits of ICTs Promoting inclusive socio-technical processes eInclusion: Thematic domains for RTD Programme • physical access • affordability • eAccessibility • usability • basic eSkills • etc. • User involvement • Awareness and skills on inclusive/accessible design / solutions • Networks / technology transfer • Sustainable design

16. Accessibility (solutions) Independent living (new solutions) Studies of user needs Access to employment (….) Technology watch Usability (solutions) Social impact assessments Social participation (….) Catering for diversity Lifelong learning (….) Methods for user involvement Affordable access Health (….) Accessibility / DfA toolkits Community access Consumption (….) Relevant content Social shaping of technology Democracy (….) Actor awareness / training User motivation and skills (basic) Avoiding new exclusions (…) Inclusive industry RTD User motivation and skills (higher) “Standards” to support eIncl. Community networks Exploit existing solutions / TT Cultural protection / development Demand side initiatives topromote access, skills, motivation, usage Possible research topics Promoting inclusive Socio-technical Processes Reducing / Avoiding eExclusion Utilising ICTs for Inclusion