International Telecommunication Union Enhanced Collaboration in Europe Region Europe Coordination Unit (EUR) Presentation European Regional Initiative e-Accessibility in Central and Eastern Europe 22 June 2012, 14:00 – 15:00 Virtual Presentation of Proposal of the Project Document

Agenda Presentation of the Draft Project Document: E-accessibility in Central and Eastern Europe (Internet and digital television) for blind people and people with visual impairment problem Discussion on Scope of the Regional Initiative Possible actions Time schedule 29 June: Review of the Project Document Proposal 2

E-accessibility in Central and Eastern Europe (Internet and digital television) for blind people and people with visual impairment problem General Objective: General Objective: To provide assistance to Member States in order to offer e-accessibility (including Internet and information access) for blind people and people with visual impairment problems. Expected results : Expected results : 1.Creation of national and regional specialized libraries/databases in order to provide large-scale access via Internet for blind people and people with visual impairment problems 2.Establishment of relevant facilities (hardware and software) and implementation of training for users and instructors 3.Promoting and fostering widespread adoption of access services via digital television. 3

Questionnaire What is the number of schools for visually impaired persons in your country and at what level (primary, high school, university?) Are they connected to Internet, how many posts Internet for blind would be necessary per school? What is the number of related content institutions linked to those schools (libraries, curricula translation into Braille, etc)? Are there any specific national/regional programs for teachers training in this field? How many national institutions? Is there any mechanism in place to engage organizations, private entities or volunteers to support, sponsor and advertise activities of schools for blind? What is the investment system for access service devices in schools (government, NGOs, Lions club, private etc)? Is the switchover to digital television, already done or if planned what is the deadline ? Are there any provisions to accommodate the needs of viewers with visual and/or hearing impairments or disabilities within any major broadcast infrastructure changes planned for digital television production and distribution ? Do you have trained personnel to produce audio access services? Are digital talking set-top boxes available for sale in your country? Are Braille keyboards/software available for sale locally? What are the international conventions, regulations and legislations that govern the country policy on accessibility options for people with visual disabilities or impairments ? 4 Responses: Czech Rep., Ireland, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak R.

International Telecommunication Union e-Accessibility - Change Ahead 5 -Background Document based on the desktop research and feedback from the European Member States -Consultation in December 2011 and follow-up collection of additional information -Elaboration of the project proposal

Three main objectives defined: 1. Modernization through public-private partnerships of existing national and/or regional specialized libraries/schools for blind or visually impaired people in each country by providing specialized equipment for these institutions, including the creation of assistive content and national databases. 2. Establishment a relevant facility ICT Assistive Technologies Telecenter (followed by many) in each country for the benefit of ALL people with visual disabilities. 3. Promotion and enhancement of widespread adoption of access services via digital television 6

1. Equipment (specialized hardware and software) provided to national/public libraries and schools for blind or visually impaired people in participating countries 2. ICT Assistive Technology Telecenters for ALL 3. Enhanced capacity of at least 30 professionals from the Central and Eastern Europe responsible for the TV program production and relevant digital TV engineering 4. Network of stakeholders and creation of electronic platform 7 Project Outputs

1. Creation of an ICTs Assistive Technologies Telecenter (an open house), firstly one - then many in each country, that provides a variety of services, not only to teachers/students, but also for people at home, at work and for employers willing to hire people with visual disabilities. 2. Training will be done on premises by the manufacturers or the ICT Assistive Technology Telecenter staff. 3. Development of a national / local database and local content. 8 Activities for ICTs Assistive Technologies Telecenter

1. Provide hardware/ software/training for Internet access in no more than 5 working stations per school in maximum 7 schools per country in the pilot project phase and 5 libraries with 3 working stations each. It is assumed that the schools have Internet access and computers. 2. Training will be done on premises by the manufacturers or the ICT Assistive Technology Telecenter staff. 3. Create assistive content and specialized database. 9 Activities for schools and libraries

Training in acquiring the necessary skills to create: audio description, audio captioning or re-speaking programs, use related facilities and plan the introduction of those services 3-4 days visit planned for at least 30 people at BBC, ITV, SKYTV in London (training and site visits) 10 Activities for TV producers and engineers/Digital TV

1. Official letter to the Administrations and stakeholders active in implementation of e-accessibility projects in line with the Regional Initiatives objectives sent out. 2. Physical meeting with a training on e-accessibility organized possible back to back to major regional meeting. Physical meeting should include strong component on showcasing of the e-accessibility projects. 3. Website with a list of a roster of experts, practitioners, and focal points of Administrations created and updated during the life of the project. 11 Activities for Network of Stakeholders

Project Inputs Contribution from ITU Contribution from the administration in each implementing country (in kind and in cash) Contribution from the implementing site (in kind and in cash) 12

ITU Responsibilities Promotion activities (articles, awareness). Memorandum of understanding with global providers in this field ex: Microsoft, Freedom Scientific, Ammec, European Commission, foundations, in order to secure collaboration and financing. Co-fundraising activities with participating countries in order to secure funds for full implementation of the project. Evaluation analysis at the end of the pilot phase. Co-organize study missions, capacity building programs. Facilitate transfer of experiences. Assist countries in getting the best prices for specialized hardware/software from top manufacturers. Inform countries on the latest developments in Assistive Telecenter field. 13

Countries Responsibilities Manage the overall project and support the operational cost at the country level. Present reports for the dissemination of acquired experience and knowledge. Create public/private partnerships at the country level Co-organize fundraising events. Fully implement assistive technologies at a national scale after evaluating the pilot. 14

Project Budget TOTAL INVESTMENT BUDGET FOR ONE COUNTRY (without permanent staffing and annual costs) COVERED BY ITU: At least 3 pilot projects in at least 3 different countries during 2 years. 10% of the country preliminary investment budget (up to USD) 15 ComponentEstimated cost USD Schools and libraries Equipment (investment)55000 TOTAL

Project Budget – Preliminary Investment 1 SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES 16 ComponentQuantityEstimated cost USD Braille keyboards Software Magnifiers Sound 5 working stations in 7 schools Braille keyboards Software Magnifiers Sound 3 working stations in 5 libraries TOTAL

Project Budget – Preliminary Investment 1 ICTs ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES TELECENTER 17 ComponentQuantityEstimated cost USD Office furniture (including computers, telecommunications Braille keyboards, video magnifiers, software (Jaws, one for 5 PCs) 5 working places50000 Accounting unit (traffic & billing software) Cable and wiring12000 Others 2000 TOTAL 55000

Project Budget – Maintenance PERMANENT STAFFING 18 ComponentQuantityEstimated cost USD (in kind) Manager/engineer1(depending on the country) Trainers/professionals3(depending on the country) IT person/Maintenance 1(depending on the country) Auxiliary/volunteers Security

Project Budget – Maintenance ANNUAL COSTS 19 ComponentQuantityEstimated cost USD Salaries Maintenance 5000 Office supplies 500 Electricity/tell/Internet 2000 Cleaning 500 Insurances 1000 Travel expenses (in the country) 1000 Others 500 TOTAL (Including approximated salaries) 60550

Project Budget – TOTAL TOTAL INVESTMENT BUDGET FOR ONE COUNTRY WITH permanent staffing and annual costs 20 ComponentEstimated cost USD Schools and libraries ICT AT Telecenter55000 Permanent staffing and annual costs TOTAL

GAANT CHART (Project Evaluation & Review Table) ID ACTIVITIES PRE DAYS J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A 1 Proposal of project document 5 2 Feedback expected in 15 days 15 3 Processing 45 4 Implementation of pilot projects Training mission in UK Evaluation/analysis pilot results 70 7 Workshop on E-Accessibility (Regional meeting in Serbia) Fundraising and Promotion at national level 630

International Telecommunication Union Thank you very much for your attention! Europe Coordination Unit, BDT (EUR) International Telecommunication Union