Supporting Equitable Education through Procurement of Accessible Technologies

It All Starts With 'Policy'

“It all starts with policy” is a phrase that’s often stated.

Does your current Information and Communication Technology (ICT) public procurement policy need attention in the area of accessibility for people with disabilities?

In today’s world education system institutions are responsible for creating equal access to education and provision of equal quality training and instructions to all learners of all abilities by creating an inclusive environment.

When ICT accessibility is not considered by public sector entities in the procurement phase, it reduces the employment possibilities for persons with disabilities.

And it relates not only to learners with physical/visible disabilities, but also those with cognitive and learning disabilities, as well as those with hidden or temporary disabilities (due to injury, illness, fatigue, etc.), and even non-native language speakers. Due to the rapid building of digital society, the education system is responsible for equipping every learner with necessary skills.?

I'd strongly recommend viewing Resource Center - G3ict: The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs who have the following vision and from which much of this copy references:

In our digital world, solutions shall be made available for human beings of all abilities and ages to equally benefit from information and communication technologies to learn, work, communicate, acquire information, socialize, transact, be safe and healthy and fully participate in public life as citizens.?

There are a number of reasons why we should ensure policy and practice e.g. RFP's reflect a focus on accessibility features of device procurement including examples below covering European contexts:

• The?UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ?(UN CRPD), ratified by the EU itself, and by all Member States, recognises access to ICT as a fundamental right for persons with disabilities.
• Article 42 of the?2014 Public Procurement Directive ?obliges public procurers to include accessibility in the technical specifications of public contracts, and, additionally, they can use accessibility as an award criterion to select the most accessible solution.
• The?2019 European Accessibility Act ?complements the Public Procurement Directive by providing a set of accessibility requirements for a broad list of ICT products and services.
• The?European Standard EN 301 549 on accessibility requirements for ICT products and services ?is currently the most comprehensive technical accessibility standard in the world. This standard was developed so procurers could refer to it in tenders. This technologically neutral standard, used by the main tech companies like Microsoft, is also referred to for public procurement of ICT in non-EU countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Australia, and it is aligned with the US procurement rules, thus underpinning the uptake of accessibility globally.

From Policy to Practice: Engaging vendors

G3ICT have produced a Discussion Guide to help education system institutions engage technology vendors in a more productive manner in a discussion on the topics of ICT accessibility and digital inclusion and ultimately supporting a more inclusive education system where every learner reaches his/her maximum potential.?

Find the discussion guide below.

G3ict-Discussion-guide_XT.pdf

When the public sector applies accessibility requirements during the procurement process, it increases the usability of information and communication technology (ICT) systems for all users. It’s not about making “special solutions” for “special people”. It’s about acknowledging diversity among citizens. It’s about the public sector making wise decisions and purchasing accessible technologies.

( https://blogs.microsoft.com/eupolicy/author/alejandromoledo/ )

More Information

https://buyict4all.org/public-policy/9-steps-to-procuring-accessible-icts-for-inclusive-education

Accessible technologies, the wiser choice for the public sector - EU Policy Blog (microsoft.com)