2003 + 10 = an accessible society?
A presentation to the RI European Conference, Germany, November 2002
By Tomas Lagerwall, Secretary General, Rehabilitation International
Rehabilitation International is 80 years old this year. We celebrated our anniversary
in Osaka, Japan just a few weeks ago. Our history shows many important achievements,
including the International Symbol of Access and the development of the UN World
Program of Action. I hope we will be able to add some more developments in the
Asia Pacific region, in Africa, in the Arab Region, in the American continent
and in Europe before RI turns 91 years old in 2013. The most important achievement
for us and the rest of the disability community for the next 10 years will be
to establish a UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
What does the future hold?
One of the most difficult tasks is to predict the future. Such prophesies are often wrong - especially when we talk about many years ahead.
Having said that, let me transport you to the year 2013 and share with you with my dream of what Europe will look like. That year I will be 65 years old and looking forward to retiring in a Europe where all countries have adopted a directive based on Design for All principles.
In the year 2013, I envision that the European Union will have about 30 independent member states with close to 1 billion inhabitants, including those in associated countries. The integration of new members has gone better than many had expected, and there has been considerable socio-economic development in Central Europe.
In addition, in 2013, the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities has been ratified by all member states and has had a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities, not only in Europe but also in the rest of the world. Europe played an important role in the development and implementation of the Convention.
In 2001, the European Standardization organizations adopted the CEN/CLC Guide 6, which is similar to ISO/IEC Guide 71 at the global level. These guides address the needs of people with different kinds of disabilities by taking into consideration these needs when developing standards. Between 2001 and 2013, thanks to these guides and with supportive documents, hundreds of standards were continually revised and updated so that they apply to a full range of products, services and environments. The result is that by 2013 society is much more inclusive for all. For instance, information in public buildings is now accessible to people with different kinds of disabilities through the use of Braille, synthetic speech or other necessary means; information desks are placed so that people using wheelchairs can have eye contact with the receptionist; and food has a declaration of content so that people with different allergies know what the food contains.
Physical access is improved
By 2013, most public buildings are physically accessible for everybody. The European Commission gives grants to owners of buildings to encourage them to bring the buildings up to code. There will soon be penalties for owners of non-accessible buildings. Private buildings are routinely made accessible when renovations take place.
As a result of the transport directive, public transport is accessible in most parts of Europe. Operators that do not provide accessible transportation can be penalized. Information on trains and other public transport is delivered in various modes so that blind and deaf people are alerted to the same developments and services as other passengers.
In 2013, the disability movements are strong and have brought several transport operators to court. Rehabilitation International has a particularly important role to play as an organization of people with disabilities and professionals promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
In contrast to previous framework programs, by the year 2013, the most recent framework programs on research and development have included a special platform on disability research based on the principles of "design for all," or inclusive design as it is sometimes called. The program was multidisciplinary and cross-disability and opened the doors for several interesting research projects in areas such as independent living and community-based services.
Greater options for integrated housing and employment
In 2013, institutions where people with disabilities live permanently are now rare, which is a significant step forward, particularly in Central Europe. People with disabilities live integrated in society to a greater extent than ever before.
Unemployment rates for people with disabilities have dropped considerably thanks to national initiatives on awareness, training and new technology. Several such programs received support from the European Commission.
In addition, new technology creates opportunities for people with disabilities. All households have computers, in some places even one computer in every room. Information is provided in an accessible format for people with visual impairments. People with developmental disabilities can obtain information adapted to their needs. New technology is also giving job opportunities to many people with disabilities. Flexibility is a term on everybody's lips. People work as much as they are able to and are paid more in regard to their needs. This doesn't mean that everybody has the same salary, but nobody lives in poverty.
Technology increases services
Access is important for people with disabilities and so is service. The new technology has opened new opportunities. Food can be ordered through the internet and many restaurants have an on-line service. You log in at their website, meet a waiter and order your food, which is delivered to your door. You can order everything, including plates and cutlery if you wish. While the same services exist today, by 2013 they will be even more widespread and advanced.
Environmental concerns in 2013 are high all over Europe. Public transportation is therefore highly developed. This, of course, is most welcomed by people with disabilities and especially those who, for different reasons such as visual impairments, cannot drive.
By 2013, advancements in medicine have eliminated some diseases causing disability and reduced the consequence of others. The number of blind people has decreased. Some people who would have used a wheelchair 15 years ago can now walk, although with some difficulty. Scooters and rollators1 are increasingly popular, in particular among older people. More and more assistive technology products are high-tech, with built in computers and fancy design.
New disabilities may occur
My dreams and guesses at the future may seem light. Therefore let me add some concerns for the year 2013.
Development in society is causing new forms of disabilities. There will be diseases and conditions we don't know of today.
Many people who were born in Europe after the Second World War are, in 2013, reaching an age when they require more care and service. Many of them have different kinds of disabilities.
Public health concerns envisioned at the beginning of the new millennium have reached unexpected proportions. An increasing problem in industrialized countries is obesity-the problem of being severely overweight. Many people eat too much, and often unhealthy food with too much fat. The combination of unhealthy food and low physical activity causes new forms of disability.
Lifestyle-related diseases and disabilities are an increasing concern in the year 2013.
Allergies are another disability of increasing importance. More and more people are allergic to food, animals, smoke and material in buildings, to mention just a few examples.
Our obligations to work for a better world
My dream is that people with disabilities will live a much better life in 2013 than they are able to today. Realizing those dreams does not come by itself. We have to fight for it. And we all have a responsibility, whether we are politicians, decision makers, professionals, service providers or come from the disability movement to make this vision a reality.
A report of the Aachen conference is in preparation. Details are available
from: Mr. Martin Schmollinger
fax: 49-622-116-6009
email: info@dvfr.de