[ EICT’s = Electronic, Information & Communication Technologies ]
2014-10-13: Electronic, Information and Communication Technologies have rapidly become an essential feature of the Built, Social and Economic Environments; they are everywhere. During a fire incident, however, these e-Technologies serve a function which is critical for the safety of all building users and firefighters, property protection, minimizing environmental damage, and sustainability. They must, therefore, have a user interface which is Accessible for All … from both ends.
This is a requirement of International Law … and an unambiguous National Requirement (expressed in the form of law and/or mandatory administrative provisions) in those jurisdictions which are States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
There is no European Standard (EN) on e-Technology Accessibility … and, in the European Union (EU), a coherent approach to the accessibility of even a modest range of EICT’s has not yet even been developed.
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Electronic, Information and Communication Technologies (EICT’s) must comply with Section 508 of the United States Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 … or with a suitable Standard/Guidance Document of another country which details an equivalent level of e-Accessibility performance.
U.S. Section 508 covers the following range of e-Technologies:
- Software Applications & Operating Systems (1194.21) ;
- Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (1194.22) ;
- Telecommunications Products (1194.23) ;
- Video and Multimedia Products (1194.24) ;
- Self Contained, Closed Products (1194.25) ;
- Desktop and Portable Computers (1194.26)
Source WebSite, Helpful Guidance & Support …
www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards
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