1. How to ensure innovative and accessible solutions for everyday life
Sara Andersson, Swedish Post and Telecom Authority

2. 15% of the EU population disabled…
... and should have the same possibilities
According to the UN and the WHO.

3. Five key parameters for success
Ambitious national strategies and objectives
Public funding – 15 million Euros annually
Promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation – instead of obligations on incumbents
Developed fixed and mobile infrastructure
New approach – “design for all” instead of particular solutions to disabled

4. Ambitious national strategies and public funding
Full participation in society on equal terms (UN Conv.)
Empowerment instead of “charity”
ICT services defined as crucial to create inclusion in society for disabled users
Socio-economics should not matter – services free of charge
Broad definition of “disability” – e.g. dyslexia included
National objectives and strategies are set for 5 years with close follow-up
From special solutions to design for all.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities It services should be available to all on equal terms.
Information should be accessible to persons with disabilities.
The State should encourage others who make electronic services to produce them in accessible formats.
The State should encourage research and development of universally designed goods and services.
The State should promote the availability and use of new technology.

5. Public funding
Crucial ICT and post services should be available and affordable to everyone
PTS procures communication services for disabled people – all free of charge for the user
Public financing also of “risk projects” to improve and develop new communication solutions for disabled
Public funding is fundamental to be able to develop and enhance these services. These services will otherwise not be provided by the market players with the same quality and the same customer experience. In Sweden, the parliament has made this clear – the price for these services should be paid over the tax bill, by public money. Non-controversial political issue, part of our welfare scheme.

6. Services delivered free of charge
112 via SMS
Relay service for video telephony – Bildtelefoni.net (on-line video interpretation)
Free directory enquiries
Relay service for text telephony – also via Internet portal and Facebook
Teletal – multipurpose interpretation service
Free dispatch of literature and papers in Braille
Postal services for elderly and disabled people in rural areas
For those that cannot use the printed telephone directory such as the blind or visually impaired.
The service also includes forwarding to the desired number.
Offered to individuals with fixed and mobile phones.
Registration required.
Open around the clock.
calls per month.
Free realy service for video telephony - Mainly for the deaf or hard of hearing that use sign language. A sign language interpreter relays the conversation between the person that uses sign language and the hearing person.
A videophone is needed. The service can be accessed with ISDN, IP, 3G or a downloadable web client. The person who can hear uses an ordinary telephone. Both the user and the hearing person can contact the Relay Service.
No registration required.
Open 06-24
calls per month.
Texttelefoni
Mainly for deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired.
An operator relays calls between the person communicating with text and the person speaking.
Access via a text telephone. Also via an internet portal and Facebook, which means that a text telephone is not needed to access the service.
calls per month.
Teletal
Interpretation service for people with voice- speech- and language difficulties, people with visual or cognitive impairment or mobility impaired.
Speech support, reading and writing support and memory support through three-way calls.
Any phone can be used. The service is accessed via a free-number.
Open week days and weekends
2 900 calls per month.

7. Promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation
Innovations projects increasing digital inclusion
Start-ups, entrepreneurs, universities,
research institutes etc.
Euro maximum award
76 projects in three years
11,1 million Euros
2010 – new concept launched – contest´Innovation for all´held twice a year.
Through the contest, start-ups, entrepreneurs, universities, higher learning institutes, research institutes and other players have a chance to apply for financing of service and product development as well as studies in the field of electronic communication.
76 projects have so far recieved funding with a total of 11,1 million euros.
The projects should aim to increase digital participation for persons with some form of disability.
Each winner are awarded a maximum of euro during a period of 18 months.
PTS is looking for proposals for smart communication solutions for people with disabilities.
´Design for All´- PTS is also looking in particular for proposals for communications solutions that can be used by as many people as possible regardless of disability.
Work and education
Culture and leisure
Retail and payment for all
Facilitate the daily lives of people with deafblindness
Intelligibility and interaction – communication solutions for persons with cognitive disabilities
Usable media services
Play, learn, live - IT for children and youth with disabilities

8. Themes of the contests Work and education Culture and leisure
Retail and payment for all
Facilitate the daily lives of people with deafblindness
Intelligibility and interaction – communication solutions for persons with cognitive disabilities
Usable media services
Play, learn, live - IT for children
and youth with disabilities
From studies to work
Themes of the contests .

9. Winner of contest 2011: Abuni
Contest theme – Retail and payment for all
Pay your bills with “one” click!
Handles all bills
Makes it easier for everyone
Responsive – works on and adjusts
to all platforms
Developed according to WCAG guidelines

10. Facts about the innovation contest
Council of external experts assess the applications, including representatives from the user groups and persons with technical and trade knowledge.
From submitted applications, PTS chose a number who are allowed to conduct pilot studies with public funding.
PTS monitors each project by examining and approving the interim reports that the companies must provide.
PTS provides training course in launching of the projects

11. Examples of completed projects

12. Innovation project - Facebook app for deafblind
New FB interface for smartphones, tablets and in ordinary browsers
Extremely simple – works with Braille display, screen reader and magnification software
The users have been deeply involved during the development
Facilitates participation in a social network on equal terms
A project initiated by our own staff, after having analysed and discussed the needs with this group of users.
Extremely simple interface – works with Braille display, screen reader and magnification software…

13. How do we evaluate and improve?
User panels with representatives from various user groups
Regular evaluation projects
Continued follow-up of the contest winners