Sessions Attended in Hyderabad

Dec 3; Day 1

Internet accessibility for people with disabilities


The internet is about empowerment. Access to information and communication is a key aspect for participation in society. If people with disabilities are to exercise their rights actively, participate and make choices about their lives, it is essential that they can access information through adequate communication systems.

For many people with disabilities, accessibility of Internet is a pre-requisite, a stepping stone for getting access to education, employment, health care, etc..

Persons with disability are primary stakeholders when It comes to the Internet development, thus should be fully Involved regarding the development of standards and the design of new communication and Information systems
What we all have to remember, is, in order to bridge the digital divide this group of persons must be included and empowered.


- It is essential that all web content be accessible and understood by persons with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities.

- Websites need to be transformed to meet the accessibility standard.

- Information accessibility in remote areas and disadvantage groups should be given priority


The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG),stipulates that all web content must be:
- Perceivable
- Operable
- Understandable
- Compatible

ATAG (Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines) defines how authoring tools should help Web developers produce Web content that is accessible and conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

ATAG also defines how to make authoring tools accessible so that people with disabilities can use them

The authoring tool accessibility guidelines 2.0,will be published in December 2008 and its adoption, immediate, by all stake holders.

For Access for persons with Disabilities to be on equal basis with others ,we need;

Accessible Web Design

 Promoting Accessibility and ICT on the web to minimize cost at early stage in design ,development, production and distribution
 Promote Universal Design in Development of Standards & Guidelines
 Promote Assistive Technologies in Research, Development, Availability and Affordability
 Provide Accessible Information about New Technologies and Support Services

Best Practices for Government should include and not limited to;
 Mainstreaming Disability Issues for sustainable development
 Supporting Cross-Disability Stakeholder Engagement
 Promoting Accessible Web Sites & Documents

Resource
 Free online information
www.tiresias.org/publications/ disabilities_standardisation/ index.htm

Closing remarks from the chair;
There is a great need to have international and national legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the rights of People with Disabilities to promote accessibility for persons with disabilities This is a very personal and emotional remark, but we cannot allow isolation of a part of the population due to lack of appropriate functionality that prevents the use of ICT resources by everybody to the fullest possible degree.

Links with further information and initiatives:

http://www.icdri.org/
http://www.w3.org/WAI/gettingstarted/Overview.html
http://www.itu.int/themes/accessibility/dc/

Food for thought:

Is your website accessible, understandable and perceivable by everyone?

Dec 4; Day 2
Network neutrality: Examining the issues and implications for development

When we talk about net neutrality we are talking about network providers and content providers.
Net neutrality questions the right of network operators to deliver certain data packets faster than others based on the type of application, source and nature of content, and other criteria.

Net neutrality could as well be content equality, according to Bob Khan

Neutrality is a means to solve social issues in technology. Users are created equal but do not use the resources equally.

What we all want:

 Security on the internet
 More broad band
 Success on the internet
 Transparency
 Access and use any online legal aspect
 Download and use the legal application
 Control application analysis/legitimate concern

Economic aspect of Net Neutrality

 Net neutrality for consumers
 Not free
 Not unlimited
 Do not pay for what you do not need
 Suppliers must listen to consumers
 Consumers do not want packaged, package


Dec 5- Day 3;
Protection of personal data and privacy in information society;

Privacy is a fundamental social value that concerns one and all. Protection of personal information within and across borders is essential for building trust in e-business, e-government and other online activities.

Only six countries in Africa have privacy legislation .Senegal, Burkina faso,southAfrica have data protection legislation in place, but no privacy protection.

Capacity building is highly recommended for persons to be well educated about personal data and the need to protect it, especially in Africa.

The OECD(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)have set guidelines on personal data protection with the following guidelines:

Collection Limitation Principle-there must be limit to personal data collection

Data Quality Principle- personal data acquired must be relevant, to the purpose of collection


Purpose Specification Principle-purpose for personal data collection must be specified not later than at the time of collection

Use Limitation Principle- data collected should not be used other than for the purpose collected

 Privacy and Security should enhance dignity and self empowerment.
 Privacy protection and data cannot and should not replace law
 PKI(public key infrastructure) results in excessive data disclosure, which should be avoided
 Privacy and Security should be discussed separately
 applications with minimal disclosure of personal data are highly encouraged
 Apply different policies to different risks
 A dialogue between policy and technology de-identification does not exist



Expression and Image online - Building an evolving Personal Identity

In this session the panellists did not appear….however a small group gathered together to discuss their purpose for being present and what they thought about Personal Identity on the internet.

Questions that came to focus were:

 Should the person portrayed as you online, be the 'very' you?
 When your to-be-employer looks you up on the internet e.g before your interview, is it fair for her/him to come to a conclusion about you? Should they grant you or deny you the opportunity in regard to what they have read about you online?

 Should there be accountability to anonymity?


However a common ground that all persons in the discussion came to were:

 There is need to intensive capacity building to users about cyber space, content and privacy.

 There is need to especially protect the children from this new technology and the impact it will have on their future.

Dec 6th- Day 4;
Simulation:


Negotiation Techniques

All human interactions involves negotiation
Training makes one aware of the core concepts and pitfall of negotiations

 Negotiations takes place where ;
 There is an Issue in conflict
 There is Common interests
 A matter Cannot be solved unilaterally


Negotiation concepts

ZOPA- zone of possibility conflict
BATNA- best alternative to negotiate agreement
WIN-SET- SAME as ZOPA
RIPE MOMENT


During negotiation;

 One needs to build trust
 Do not personalize issues
 You cannot be pushed to a corner, unless you push yourself to the corner
 Try to share the pie and not look to only one dimension. Search for options creatively
 Looking to criteria may offer solution
 Always listen to the other side
 Explain your position in a concise and clear manner
 Study body language
 Prepare adequately
 Invest on relationships
 The chair must always anticipate problems before they arise
 The chair must constantly observe the mood of the meeting



Resource
http://www.pon.harvard.edu/research/projects/hnp.php3