The European Union has produced a set of Directives governing the provision of electronic communications facilities. People who have disabilities, or who are elderly and are now experiencing some loss of function, are at risk of exclusion from this new world of electronic communications unless special note is made of their needs. However, the pace of technological change is such that specific technical measures are quickly rendered obsolete, and so have no place in legislation that is intended to be of lasting value. If the primary legislation can only point to the basic fundamentals, and if the market-place is not yet ready to acknowledge a wider spectrum of functional ability amongst its customers, how can this risk of exclusion be addressed? The aim of this publication is to show how, with a degree of European co-operation, the powers devolved to national regulators can be applied to close the gap and bring in short- term measures that are consistent with the overall framework while addressing immediate problems of accessibility.
The European Union has produced a set of Directives governing the provision of electronic communications facilities. People who have disabilities, or who are elderly and are now experiencing some loss of function, are at risk of exclusion from this new world of electronic communications unless special note is made of their needs. However, the pace of technological change is such that specific technical measures are quickly rendered obsolete, and so have no place in legislation that is intended to be of lasting value. If the primary legislation can only point to the basic fundamentals, and if the market-place is not yet ready to acknowledge a wider spectrum of functional ability amongst its customers, how can this risk of exclusion be addressed? The aim of this publication is to show how, with a degree of European co-operation, the powers devolved to national regulators can be applied to close the gap and bring in short- term measures that are consistent with the overall framework while addressing immediate problems of accessibility.
Subject terms:
information technology, law, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, access to services;
Sets out the findings of the Extra Costs Commission independent inquiry exploring the extra costs faced by disabled people and families with disabled children in England and Wales. The extra costs that disabled people face depend on a range of factors. Some of these are due to an individual’s impairment. As detailed in the interim report of this Commission, someone with a neurological condition...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Sets out the findings of the Extra Costs Commission independent inquiry exploring the extra costs faced by disabled people and families with disabled children in England and Wales. The extra costs that disabled people face depend on a range of factors. Some of these are due to an individual’s impairment. As detailed in the interim report of this Commission, someone with a neurological condition will spend on average almost £200 a week on costs related to their disability, while someone with a physical impairment will spend almost £300. The report identifies four distinct groups, all of whom should take action to drive down these extra costs: disabled people and their families should be ‘bold and loud’ and build consumer power behind the ‘purple pound’; disability organisations should improve information and services to disabled people and businesses to allow them to drive down the extra costs of disability; businesses and trade bodies should improve the customer experience of disabled people and recognise the power of the ‘purple pound’; and regulators and government should intervene where features of markets result in unfair extra costs for disabled people. The report recommendations focus on five areas of extra cost, informed by evidence gathered by the Commission. These costs were those most frequently mentioned by disabled people, those that have the greatest financial impact, and those areas where we believe change to be possible. The five areas are: energy; clothing and bedding; specialised disability equipment; taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs); and insurance.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
costs, cost of living, disabilities, assistive technology, transport, insurance;