RERC Participates in European Commission Ministerial Conference

The European Commission, Directorate-General Information Society and Media, ICT for Inclusion is hosting the "European Ministerial e-Inclusion Conference in Vienna, Austria at the end of November. This "personal invitation only" event brings together European Ministers and select delegates to discuss inclusive technology, measure progress on e-accessibility environments, and share insights on leading edge initiatives. Dr. Helena Mitchell, Executive Director of CACP, has been invited as an invitational delegate to the conference. In particular she will be involved with the sessions that address policies and practices that need to be undertaken to ensure a global inclusion information society; how users and industry are working together to design accessible devices; and how to sustain accessible ICT as the norm rather than the exception. In 2004 CACP provided the Directorate-General, Elderly and People with Disabilities Unit a report on U.S. wireless policy and people with disabilities, this is the first event since then to readdress issues that were raised on a global level regarding ICT and accessibility .

"The DG Information Society & Media pursues an integrated approach to achieving the Information Society, encompassing an evolving regulatory environment which emphasizes competition and lets the market decide on technology; a world-class research program that pools Europe's resources for world leadership; and a range of programs designed to promote wider use, demonstrate innovative technologies and ensure that the benefits are felt by all."