Report on the Situation of Information and Communication Technology Accessibility in China by Cui Huiping Director General of Information Technology Center You Liang Director of Department of International Affairs Department China Disabled Persons Federation

I. The Development of ICT Accessibility Regarded as an Important Content in the Construction of a Harmonious Society 82,96 million PWDs in China, accounting for 6.34% of the total population 12.33 million persons with visual impairment 20.04 million persons with hearing impairment 1.27 million persons with speech disabilities. PWDs have an increasing need for information accessibility

II. Safeguard Practices in Policy-Making and a Good Social Environment for the Development of ICT Accessibility Offered by the Chinese Government The Chinese government and all walks of life attach great importance to the provision of accessible information services for PWDs, aimed at shortening the digital divide. In recent years, the Chinese government stipulated in the documents concerned that the accessible information services shall be offered to the disadvantaged groups. Lllllllllllllll ;;;;;;;;;;;;;

1. Guidance Documents Promulgated Law on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities The governments and society should take measures to improve accessible facilities gradually, promote the accessible information exchanges, build up an accessible environment for PWDs’ participation in social life in an equal way.

1. Guidance Documents Promulgated Opinions of the State Council on the Promotion of Disability in China It encourages and supports the study and research in information and communication accessibility, requires the public facilities to provide accessible services such as speech and character attention, Braille and sign language. It also requires the films and television programs to match captions, the network and electronic information & communication products to be made more convenient for PWDs.

1. Guidance Documents Promulgated Country Action Program of Human Rights 2009-2010 It programmed a work plan of developing ICT accessibility in 100 cities in China.

2. Standard-Making Put Forward Information Accessibility for People with Physical Disabilities Technical Requirements for Web Accessibility

3. United Action Plan on ICT Accessibility for PWDs Initiated Jointly initiated a Project “Key Technology Propping System and its Demonstrative Application of ICT Accessibility for PWDs” in 2008 Total Investment： RMB 150 million Research Units：More than 30 Units Involved

3. United Action Plan on ICT Accessibility for PWDs Initiated officially signed a United Action Plan on ICT Accessibility for PWDs in Januray 2009 Aimed at setting up a relatively perfect serving system for PWDs’ accessible information.

4. The Technological Research Center on ICT Accessibility for PWDs Set up. The China Disabled Persons’ Federation and Zhejiang University jointly established the Technological Research Center on ICT Accessibility for PWDs Purpose: to give full play to the advantages of science & technology and informatization, and provide technical aid for decision making in regard to PWDs

5. ICT Accessibility Forum Opened The ICT accessibility forums have been held jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation and the China Internet Association since the year of 2004. Until 2008, China has held 5 such forums totally.

6. Governments Go in Advance and Society Offers its Concerns and Support The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: offers its support and guidance in policy-making and business The National Library and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation: jointly established China Digital Library for Persons with Visual Impairment. The China Disabled Persons’ Federation: reflected the hardness faced by PWDs to governments and departments concerned, called on the society to care about information and communication accessibility, promoted in cooperation with departments concerned the construction of accessible information.

III. Achievements in ICT Accessibility Research

1. Developed Aiding Technology Research and Application for Accessible Information and Communication Screen Reading Software for Persons with Visual Impairment

1. Developed Aiding Technology Research and Application for Accessible Information and Communication Express Braille Printer

1. Developed Aiding Technology Research and Application for Accessible Information and Communication TV Digital System for Chinese Sign Language A video system displaying sign language by a virtual human

1. Developed Aiding Technology Research and Application for Accessible Information and Communication Electronic Display and Digital Aid for Persons with Visual Impairment

1. Developed Aiding Technology Research and Application for Accessible Information and Communication Bluetooch Wireless Screen-Reading Devices

1. Developed Aiding Technology Research and Application for Accessible Information and Communication Supporting System for Hearing Compensation

1. Developed Aiding Technology Research and Application for Accessible Information and Communication Network Sound-Searching Devices

2. Developed Internet Accessible Information Services, Push forward the Websites of Governments and other Important Departments to be Constructed with Accessibility for PWDs launched the United Action for Accessible Websites of Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games

2. Developed Internet Accessible Information Services, Push forward the Websites of Governments and other Important Departments to be Constructed with Accessibility for PWDs The website of China Disabled Persons’ Federation has been made accessible for information

2. Developed Internet Accessible Information Services, Push forward the Websites of Governments and other Important Departments to be Constructed with Accessibility for PWDs The website of China Disabled Persons’ Federation

2. Developed Internet Accessible Information Services, Push forward the Websites of Governments and other Important Departments to be Constructed with Accessibility for PWDs Open special columns for accessible information on governmental websites

China Digital Library for Person with Visual Impairment 2. Developed Internet Accessible Information Services, Push forward the Websites of Governments and other Important Departments to be Constructed with Accessibility for PWDs China Digital Library for Person with Visual Impairment

Set up comprehensive platforms of remote training for PWDs 2. Developed Internet Accessible Information Services, Push forward the Websites of Governments and other Important Departments to be Constructed with Accessibility for PWDs Set up comprehensive platforms of remote training for PWDs

3. Applied ICT Accessibility in Major Events and PWDs’ Social Life, Promoting the Development of Information and Communication Accessibility Offered special services for information accessibility in venues of Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games

3. Applied ICT Accessibility in Major Events and PWDs’ Social Life, Promoting the Development of Information and Communication Accessibility · Formed a social public service environment with information accessibility · Offered a community-based public service platform · Created community-based accessible homes

·Hi-tech assistive devices for PWDs were displayed. 3. Applied ICT Accessibility in Major Events and PWDs’ Social Life, Promoting the Development of Information and Communication Accessibility The International Welfare Expo, China · Held in September 2008. ·Hi-tech assistive devices for PWDs were displayed.

The China International Industrial Fair 3. Applied ICT Accessibility in Major Events and PWDs’ Social Life, Promoting the Development of Information and Communication Accessibility The China International Industrial Fair · Held in 2008 · An Information Accessibility Section for PWDs was available.

“Life under Sunshine Pavilion” in the Shanghai 2010 World Expo 3. Applied ICT Accessibility in Major Events and PWDs’ Social Life, Promoting the Development of Information and Communication Accessibility “Life under Sunshine Pavilion” in the Shanghai 2010 World Expo The very first in the history of World Expo to set up a pavilion for PWDs

Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games 3. Applied ICT Accessibility in Major Events and PWDs’ Social Life, Promoting the Development of Information and Communication Accessibility Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games · To be held in Guangzhou in 2010. · The official website will be accessible for PWDs obtaining information.

IV. Direction for Future Development Enhance the fulfillment of policies concerned, promote the formulation of technical standard requirements Encourage the research and development of hi-tech assistive products China Disabled Persons’ Federation will spare no efforts to promote the development of ICT accessibility in China.

Thank You!