Newsletter

IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section

Spring 2003

Best Newsletter 2000 and 2001

The IFLA/LBS Newsletter is issued twice a year: spring and autumn

Editor:
Beatrice Christensen Sköld, Information Coordinator

Co-editor:
Päivi Voutilainen
Finnish library of the Visually Impaired
Backasgatan 58-60
FIN-00510 Helsinki,

Finland
Tel: +358-9-2295 22 50
Fax: +358-9-2295 22 95
E-mail: bea.christensen@tpb.se

Distribution:
Beatrice Christensen Sköld
Address as above

The Newsletter is available in Braille and on diskette and IFLANet, www.ifla.org

Content

Report on Midwinter Meeting of IFLA Libraries for the Blind
Section Zagreb, Croatia

Croatian Library for the Blind

The Section's Preconference in Marburg
2003 Dr. Dayton M. Forman
Memorial Award Official
Nomination Form

Best practice Award 2003

2002 Tactus Awards

Swedish DAISY Consortium

Planned EU directive to ban technology discrimination

Standing Committee Members

Chairperson: Rosemary Kavanagh, Vice President
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4G 3 E8
E-mail: rosemary.kavanagh@cnib.ca

Secretary: Helen Brazier, Director
National Library for the Blind
Far Cromwell Road, Bredbury
Stockport SK6 25G, United Kingdom
E-mail: Helen.brazier@nlbuk.org

Special adviser: Beatrice Christensen Sköld, Sweden

Section News:

Report on Midwinter Meeting of IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section
Zagreb, Croatia

A majority of members of the Standing Committee from 2 counttinents assembled in Zagreb February 25 - 28 2003. The Standing Committee combines its mid winter meeting with the opportunity to study and support library service for the blind in the country to which it has been invited. The hospitality of the Croatian Library for the Blind, the Croatian Association for the Blind the National and University Library, and the Public Library Medvescak was exceptional and gracious. Standing Committee Members learned much from the study tours and meetings and applauded the work of the Croatian Library for the Blind. Both Sanja Frajtag, Croatian Library for the Blind and Mrs Anjica Jankovic, a representative of the Croatian Ministry of Education, which funds the Croatian Library for the Blind participated in the Standing Committee meetings. A report with suggestions has been prepared by the Chair in support of a workstation for the disabled in the National and University Library and the public library in Croatia.

The announcement of winners of the IFLA LBS Ulverscroft award was made early to Standing Committee members who sent their congratulations to the two winners in South Africa and Norway. A brainstorming session in response to Bridging the Digital Divide was held. Despite the late response Committee members felt it was important to discuss this as a group. The IFLA LBS strategic plan was updated to acknowledge activities to date. The plan is available at http://www.ifla.org/vii/s31/annual/sp31-3.htm.

IFLA LBS is looking for a regional conference with an appropriate mix of participants including librarians, users and other stakeholders, e.g. government representatives and IT companies to host sessions addressing library services for the blind with a view to educating all parties on the importance and necessity of these services.

There had not been sufficient activities among working groups although the CNIB NLB initiative under the Collection and Resource Sharing Working Group continues. The Systems and Technologies Working Group will be addressing their theme 'Future Content' in the upcoming Preconference in Marburg July 2003. Two guidelines were reviewed. The 14th draft of Libraries in the Information Age: Guidelines for Development revised at the meeting will be circulated once more. The intention is to publish this over the next 12 months. Guidelines for Designing and Building Integrated Digital Library Systems for Libraries for the Blind will be referred to a small working group for further development. The Francophone working group is planning a meeting in Marburg following the Preconference.

A brainstorming session to discuss relationships with the DAISY Consortium and to improve communication and better coordination of results was discussed. A letter welcoming the new President, Elsebeth Tank, had been sent with an invitation for closer cooperation.

For the first time the Section will have more candidates for election to the Standing Committee than there are vacancies. 12 people had expressed an interest in the 11 vacancies.

Upcoming IFLA LBS Sessions

IFLA and ASCLA June 21 2003

A session creating the Digital Libraries of the Future is planned for Toronto, Canada in cooperation with ASCLA, the American Library Association. Chair: Rosemary Kavanagh, Vice President, Client Services, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB); Chair, IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section. Panelists: Gerry Chevalier, President and Information Technology Consultant, Promek Consulting, Canada; Margaret McGrory, Library Executive Director and Chief Information Officer, CNIB, Canada; Elsebeth Tank, Director, Danmarks Blindebibliotek (DBB), Denmark.

IFLA LBS Preconference Marburg, Germany Sunday July 27 - Wednesday July 30 2003. Where do blind fit?

Held every two years the Section holds a conference prior to the IFLA General Conference: This year the Preconference will see the largest gathering of experts in libraries for the blind.

IFLA General Conference and Council, Berlin August 1 - 9 2003

Two workshops are scheduled and speakers are being confirmed.

1. Joint Open Session with Public Libraries Section on Partners in Lifelong Learning: Working with Print-handicapped Users

2. Panel Discussion on What Libraries Need to Know About Serving Print Handicapped Users. This event is planned to be interactive and based on practical experience. It is aimed at all libraries.

IFLA General Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2004

A daylong workshop joint with the Libraries for the Disadvantaged Section is being explored to include representatives from WIPO and the International Publishers Association. Its purpose is to discuss copyright and licensing issues in securing the international exchange of multi media books adapted for use by blind and print handicapped persons.

World Blind Union, South Africa 2004

A proposal for a daylong session on library services for the blind has been made to the World Blind Union. The LBS felt it was a good opportunity to engage consumers from all over the world in a practical understanding of what library services are and why their development should be promoted.

IFLA LBS Preconference Gothenburg, Sweden 2005

The preconference is planned joint with the Libraries for Disadvantaged People Section and the regional libraries of Western Gothland in Sweden and Østvold in Norway. The achievements of libraries in this region demonstrate numerous examples of good practice for inclusion in particular the Open Media Open Learning Project.

Rosemary Kavanagh

Croatian Library for the Blind

Historically, the Library for the Blind was part of the Association for the Trained Blind in Zagreb. This Library was founded in 1921, but during the Second World War it disappeared without a trace.

In 1949, the Local Branch Organization of the Blind of Zagreb commenced work on Braille transcription. This created a collection of Braille books, which became the core collection for the new Library. The new Library was founded in January 1965 as part of the Croatian Association for the Blind.

In addition to the core collection, a second collection became available from the Braille Printing House, “Filip Višnjić” in Belgrade. Also, when the Federal Library for the Blind in Belgrade closed, the Library of the Croatian Association for the Blind received a certain amount of books under a special quote system. The Library collection has increased since the foundation of a printing department in 1969 and studios for the production of talking books and magazines in 1970.

Status

From January 1965 until April 18th 2000, the Library acted as part of the Croatian Association for the Blind. By a Decree of the Government of the Republic of Croatia dated in October 1999, and the decision of the Commercial Court dated April 2000, the Library has become an independent public institution. Founders of this institution are the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Association for the Blind. The Library is financed by Government grants under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.

The Croatian Library for the Blind is ruled by a Governing Board which consists of five members: one representative from the Ministry of Culture, one representative from the Ministry of Social Affairs, two representatives from the Croatian Association for the Blind and one representative from the Library professional staff. The Governing Board appoints the managing director of the Library.

Library Functions

The Croatian Library for the Blind is organized as an independent institution. The Library can be divided into three units:

1. Lending Library :

• Work with users
• Specialized library work
• Technical treatment and protection of library collection
• Computerized library business

2. Studio for the production and duplication of talking books and magazines:

• Digital production of talking books and magazines
• In 1997, the Croatian Library for the Blind and the Croatian Company Protector started a project called DIAL PRO (Digital Audio Library). The project aims to modernize and improve the existing Library services for the blind. Currently, digital masters are produced and archived on CDs in MP3 format. Copies are then produced from digital masters to audio cassettes.
• Copying of talking books and magazines

3. Braille Printing and Bookbinding Unit

• Production of Braille books and magazines
• Proofreading and duplication of texts in Braille
• Binding of books and magazines
• Computers and Braille embossers are being used in Braille production

Library Collection

At the end of February 2003 the library’s collection consisted of 2096 Braille titles and 1953 talking book titles.

Books are sent via the postal system free of charge. Library members residing in Zagreb may visit the Library and borrow books for themselves. They can also request books by telephone. Library users must look after their borrowed books and report any damage or loss to the Library. The loan period is one month and overdue charges are calculated on a daily basis.

Library Users

Any individual who is blind or vision impaired can become a member of the Library. Membership also extends to individuals who are dyslexic, immobile or have cerebral damage. In December 2002, there were 1400 users of the Library services. Members have to pay an annual fee. This fee is waived for students.

In order to join the Library, individuals have to fill out an application form. This form is a requirement in order to obtain the recorder/player, which is provided by the Health Insurance Scheme. When enrolment is complete, users are provided with a free catalogue of book titles. Individuals can then select the books of their choice from this catalogue.

Magazines

The Croatian Library for the Blind issues the following magazines:

Audio Cassette:

• Izbor (first issue in 1969), issued twice a month on 2 and 4-track cassettes, articles from different fields and different magazines.
• Sveta Lucija (first in 2001), issued monthly on 2-track cassettes, articles with religious themes.
• Zbivanja (first issue in 1979), issued monthly on 2 and 4-track cassettes, articles with topical political themes.
• Znanost i umjetnost (first issue in 1979), issued monthly on 2 and 4-track cassettes, articles from the field of popular science and art.
• Informacije (first issue in 1983), issued monthly, the official Journal of Croatian Association for the Blind.
• Riječ slijepih (first issue in 1992), issued bimonthly, the magazine of The Croatian Association for the Blind.
• CQ Radio amater (first issue in 1994), issued quarterly, the magazine of Radio Club for the Blind "Louis Braille", designed for radio amateurs.
• Vidici (first issue in 2001), issued monthly, free of charge, official journal of the Local Branch Organization for the Blind of Zagreb, information from the work of the organization.

• Mladost (first published in 1981) issued bimonthly, articles for blind children and youth.
• Šah (first published in 1972) issued bimonthly, information for blind chess players.
• Žena (first published in 1975) issued bimonthly, woman’s magazine, articles include: fashion, cooking, beauty, family life etc.
• Riječ slijepih (first published in 1973) issued bimonthly, a journal of the Croatian Association for the Blind.

As 2003 marks the European Year of Disability, the Croatian Library for the Blind has embarked on a new project. The project aims to provide blind and print handicapped persons (mainly students), with access to the collection of the National and University Library of Croatia. This will be achieved by establishing a workstation for blind and print handicapped users. It will also be important to make the Library Online Public Access Catalogue and its website accessible to blind and print handicapped users.

In addition to the above project, the National and University Library and the Croatian Library for the Blind are working towards developing programs such as story hour for print handicapped children.

Address: Croatian Library for the Blind, 80 Draškovićeva Street P.O.B. 231, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Director: Sanja Frajtag

Working hours: Monday and Thursday 8:00–18:00, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00-16:00

Telephone: 385(0)1 48 12 509, 385 (0)1 48 12 503

Fax: 385 (0)1 49 21 587

E-mail: cl.blind.@zg.tel.hinet.hr

Web page: http://free-zg.hinet.hr/hkzsl

Registration number: 1494449, Activity code: 92511

Bank account: 30105-603-44733

Foreign-exchange bank account: Privredna banka d.d. 30101-620-37

05-70001-9182800-773687

Sanja Frajtag

The official invitation to the section’s Preconference will be posted to all members by April 1st the latest. It will also be posted at IFLA’s web site www.IFLA.org

Accesspoint Libraries: Where do the Blind fit?

Venue: The Denis Papin Room, Sorat Hotel Marburg, Pilgrimstein 29, DE-35037 Marburg

Sunday July 27 Arrival

12:00-20:00 Registration in the conference venue at the Sorat Hotel

17:00 Sightseeing group I (starting from the Sorat hotel)

18:00 Sightseeing group II (starting from the Sorat hotel)

20:00 Dinner and entertainment at restaurant Stadtsäle

Monday July 28 Conference Opening

9:00-10:00 Registration

10:00-11:00 Opening

Master of Ceremony:Henri Chauchat, Association Valentin Haüy, France

• Welcome - Rosemary Kavanagh, Chair of IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section
• Welcome by the host, Jürgen Hertlein, Director of DBSIA,
• Key note speech by Edelgard Bulmanh, Minister of Culture
• 20 years of Expert Meetings , Rainer Witte, Librarian
• Announcement of the Ulverscroft Award for Institutions, Helen Brazier, Secretary of IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section

11:00-11.30 Coffee Break

11:30-12:30 Session A: What do Users want?

Convener: Dr Thomas Kalisch, German Central Library for the Blind (DZB), Leipzig

• Electronic Access by Gillian Burrington, Chair of National Library for the Blind, UK
• Accessing Information by Eva Björk, Manager Information and IT, Swedish Associationn of the Visually Impaired (SRF)

Questions from the Audience after each presentation

12:30-13:00 Opening of Exhibition by Rosemary Kavanagh and Exhibition Touring

13.00-14:00 Lunchbuffet

14:00-15:00 Session B: Future Content 3: The Integrated Digital Library

Convener: Francisco Martinez Calvo

• New Books in Old Libraries by Elke Dittmer, Director of North German Library of Talking Books

• Future Content: Acquiring and safeguarding publishers’ files by Victoria Owen,Director, CNIB Library, Canada
• The Dutch Model of the Digital Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired by Maarten Verboom, FNB Netherlands

15:00-15:30 Coffee break

15:30-16:30 - Creating the Digital Library by Thomas Kjellberg Christensen,Technical Director, Danish National Library for the Blind

• Russian Language Network of Libraries for the Blind by Galina Elfimova, Head Foreign Literature Department, Russian State Library for the Blind, Moscow

Questions from the audience in conjunction with each presentation

16:30 -20:00Touring the Exhibition

20:00 Dinner buffet at The Sorat Hotel

9:00-10.30 Session C: Reading tactile Information Convener: Beatrice Christensen Sköld, TPB, Sweden

• Compensatory Plasticity in Blind Humans by Dr Brigitte Röder, Marburg University
• Braille Text and Tactual Representation in School. The situation of Blind students in Germany, comparing Regular Schools and Special Schools by Dr Wilfried Laufenberg, Blista, Marburg
• The Tactus Project by Philippe Claudet, Les Doigts Qui Rêvent, France

Questions from the audience in conjunction with each presentation

10:30-11.00 Coffee Break

11:00-12:30 Session D: Braille Music: A Model for cooperation Convener: Dick Tucker, FORCE Foundation, Netherlands

• Da-Capo a new start of Braille music production I Germany by Dr Thomas Kalisch, German Central Library for the Blind (DZB), Leipzig
• Accessible Music by David Crombie, FNB, Netherlands
• Sharing Braille Music internationally by Roger Firman, RNIB , UK

Question from the audience in conjunction with each presentation

12:30–13:00 Exhibition Touring

13:00-14:00 Lunch

14:00-15:00 Session E: Managing and Marketing Change in Libraries for the Blind

Convener: Marijke van Bodengraven

• Strategic development. Bringing an organisation forward by Elsebeth Tank, Executive Director, Danish National Library for the Blind
• The Swedish DAISY Campaign by Ingar Beckman Hirschfeldt, Executive Director of the Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille(TPB)

Questions from the audience in conjunction with each presentation

15:00-15:30 Coffee break

15:30-16:00 Guidelines for developing Library Services for the Blind Rosemary Kavanagh, IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section, Discussion

16:00-17:30 Touring the Exhibition

18:00-19:00 Official Reception hosted by the Mayor of Marburg in the Townhall

20:00 Festabend (dinner and entertainment), Sorat Hotel, Denis Papin Room

09:00-10:00 Session F: Are we doing enough for people with low vision

Convener: Rosemary Kavanagh

• What can we do for people with low vision?
• Frances Cutler, Chair of the Board of Directors, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
• The Tiresias Project on Large print by DrJohn Gill Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), UK
• Making large print school books from XML by Heinz Zysset, The Swiss Library for the Blind, Zurich

Questions in conjunction with each presentation

10:30-11:00 Coffee Break

11:00-12:00 Summing up the Conference

Rosemary Kavanagh, Jürgen Hertlein and Rainer Witte

12:00-13:00 Lunch buffet

13:15 Excursions (optional)

More information about the Preconference ca be obtained from Rainer Witte e-mail:witte@blista and from Beatrice Christensen Sköld e-mail: bea.christensen@tpb.se

New address of International Directory

Because of change of server the address of the International Directory of Libraries for the Blind has been changed to http://ifla.jsrpd.jp/default.htm

This award, established by the CNIB Library for the Blind board of directors in January 1996, recognizes outstanding leadership in the advancement of library and information services for Canadians who are blind or visually impaired. It is offered in tribute to Dr. Dayton M. Forman, an exceptional humanitarian and longstanding CNIB volunteer, who exemplified the leadership required to make a difference for over half a million visually impaired people across Canada.

The recipient is awarded a silver medal bearing the likeness of Dr. Forman and an inscription in print and Braille.

NOMINEE (individual or organization):

Address:

Name of contact person (if nominee is an organization):

Telephone:

Fax:

E-mail:

All submissions for the Dr. Dayton M. Forman Memorial Award must be nominated by TWO individuals and/or organizations.

NOMINATED BY (individual or organization):

Address:

Name of contact person (if nominator is an organization):

Relationship to nominee:

Telephone:

Fax:

E-mail:

Signature:

NOMINATED BY (individual or organization):

Address:

Name of contact person (if nominator is an organization):

Telephone:

Fax:

E-mail:

Signature:

For the nomination of an individual:

The work that the nominee has done in relation to this nomination has been as a volunteer.

The nominee works for a business or organization involved with providing services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Both of the above.

For the nomination of an organization:

The nominee provides services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The nominee supports volunteerism in library services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Please answer each of the following questions with a statement of 100 words or less.

1. If the nominee is an individual, please list the organizations that he or she has worked for, along with the dates worked and positions held. Please only include positions that relate to the nominee's contributions towards library services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
2. If the nominee is an organization, please briefly describe the organization and its goals/mission.
3. Describe the barrier(s) to information equity that the nominee's efforts have addressed.
4. Describe the nominee's motivations or reasons for working to address these barriers.
5. How have the nominee's efforts had an impact on library and/or information services for people who are blind or visually impaired in Canada? Please describe and then provide one or two examples.
6. Describe the possible long-term outcomes of the nominee's efforts.
7. Please describe the nominee's leadership qualities.
8. Describe how the nominee has shown initiative or been innovative in addressing the reading or information needs of Canadians who are blind or visually impaired.
9. Has the nominee received any previous awards that relate to library or information services for Canadians who are blind and visually impaired? If so, please list.

Additional documentation in support of a nomination is not necessary, but is welcome (please submit by e-mail if possible).

Please forward the application and any additional documentation on or before April 15, 2003, to the Dr. Dayton M. Forman Memorial Award Selection Committee, CNIB Library for the Blind, 1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4G 3E8. Fax: (416) 480-7700, E-mail: shelagh.paterson@cnib.ca. Submissions by e-mail are encouraged.

Questions? Please contact Shelagh Paterson at the above e-mail address or at (416) 480-7670.

The awards presentation will take place at an evening reception on Friday June 20th at the Canadian Library Association / American Library Association conference in Toronto, Ontario.

Members of the Dr. Dayton M. Forman Memorial Award Selection Committee and CNIB staff are not eligible for the award.

This information can also be obtained from to the web page at: http://cnib.ca/library/awards/dmfm/index.htm

Application process: There is no application form.

The individual applicant should write a proposal to be sent to Joyce Sumner, Secretary, Ulverscroft Foundation, The Green, Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicester, LE7 7FU, England.

foundation@ulverscroft.co.uk

Electronic applications to the above address are preferred but applications in type or Braille sent to the above address are acceptable. Applications to be received by 31.01.03.

• Name, employer, role in organisation and experience
• Details of host organisation
• Written consent of employer and host organisation
• Costings

• What he/she will do
• When
• Why this is relevant to his/her employer
• How this will benefit his/her employer and the host organisation
• How this will benefit himself/herself

Reporting: The successful applicant will be expected to

report on the experience, including input from his/her employer and the host organisation.

Judges: One representative each from:

Ulverscroft Foundation

Force Foundation

IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section

• Degree of relevance to applicant's organisation
• Benefits to the individual and organisations concerned
• Sustainability of relationship between the two organisations
• Transferability of experience to other LBS members

Scope: An opportunity for an LBS member organisation to either

• Adopt and adapt a development from elsewhere to improve local service delivery, or
• Implement a new development to improve service delivery, that could be transferable to other LBS members.

This project could cover any service within the ambit of LBS.

It is likely to be of about 12 months duration.

Value: Up to but not necessarily as much as £15,000.

Match funding is not a requirement but is acceptable.

• Improvement of services

• Encourage sharing of best practice

Application process: There is no application form.

The organisation should write a proposal to be sent to Joyce Sumner, Secretary, Ulverscroft Foundation, The Green, Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicester, LE7 7FU, England. E-mail:

foundation@ulverscroft.co.uk

Electronic applications to the above address are preferred but applications in type or Braille sent to the above address are acceptable. Applications to be received by 31.03.03.

• Organisation
• Costings
• Source and status of match funding if applicable

• What is the problem

• What will be done and when

• Benefits
• Either, how this adapts a development from elsewhere, or how it will be transferable in the future

Reporting: The successful organisation will be expected to report on the project.

Judges: One representative each from:

Ulverscroft Foundation

Force Foundation

IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section

• Benefits to the organisation concerned
• Transferability of experience to other LBS period with another LBS member organisation, between April and November 2003.

The duration is likely to be in the region of two weeks to two months, depending on destination.

It is not intended to fund a study tour.

Value: Up to £5000, to cover travel, accommodation and expenses.

members

• Quality of systems analysis (i.e. analysis of the problem and the relevance of proposed solution)

• Sustainability of the solution

Deadline for applications: 31 January 2003

Announcement: March 2003

Project happens: between April 2003 and November 2003

Report to IFLA LBS/Ulverscroft March 2004

Deadline for applications: 31 March 2003

Announcement: July 2003

Project happens

Tactus Prize is a European award for adapted literature for blind children. The November 2002 awards were held in Dijon, France. There were 52 tactile book entries from five European countries; France, Belgium, UK, Italy and Finland.

In category 1: Books for 0-6 Age Group

First prize was awarded to the French book "Charlotte la Marmotte", by Aurélie Lavie.

In Category 2: Books for 7-12 Age Group,

The prize winner was "La Vague", by Roxanne Hérent and Céline Piette from Belgium.

• A Finnish book "Fiona the Field Mouse" received a special mention for interactive story telling and beautiful hand-made tactile pictures.
• Les Doigts Qui Rêvent in Dijon (ldqr@wanadoo.fr) will produce the prize-winning books in several copies in French, English, Italian and Finnish.

Philippe Claudet from LDQR will present the Tactus project in LBS’s preconference in Marburg in July 2003. Any European organization working with tactile children’s books is welcome to join as a new member or a partner in the Tactus project. Contact information philippe.claudet@wanadoo.fr

Up till the year 2003 The Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille (TPB) shared a full membership in the DAISY Consortium with The Swedish Association of theVisually impaired (SRF). This has now changed as a Swedish DAISY Consortium was formed on February 26. The new Consortium consists of TPB),19 regional libraries, two university libraries, SRF and the Swedish Association of Dyslexics. TPB is coordinator of the Consortium.

The aim of the Consortium is to carry out the goals of the International DAISY Consortium. The Swedish DAISY Consortium is of course also a member of the International DAISY Consortium.

In conjunction with the first meeting of the new consortium, TPB together with other disability institutions, celebrated the European Year of people with disabilities by arranging a conference with the theme " From audio book to multimedia, joint ways of accessibility". The aim was to show how new technology can make news papers, books, text books and other kind of information accessible to print handicapped users. Swedish and International experts made presentations on the latest accessibility technology in the areas print handicap and DAISY. Key note speaker was Gunilla Thorgren, under Secretary of State of the Swedish Ministry of Culture. 267 persons attended the conference.

Planned EU directive to ban technology discrimination

Proposed EU rules banning discrimination against disabled users of media, telecommunication and online services have been unveiled this month by European disability groups, which hope the provisions will pass into law by the end of this year.

The draft directive would require all private and public bodies to deliver their internet services in accessible formats, and all telecommunications services to be made accessible within five years.

The measures form part of a broad anti-discrimination initiative developed by the umbrella lobby group the European Disability Forum (EDF - http://www.edf-feph.org/en/welcome.htm) with the European Parliament

Disability Intergroup (http://www.edf-feph.org/apdg/index-en.htm), an informal grouping of MEPs working on disability policy.

If passed, the rules would represent the first European move to prohibit discrimination against the disabled across multiple sectors and services including the workplace, healthcare, social services, education, goods, facilities, services and product design. At present, most anti-discrimination law in EU member states is contained in provisions which form part of broader laws governing areas such as transport, education or social security.

The law would also introduce enforcement procedures, including the right for people with disabilities to go to court in any EU member state.

"We expect changes will be made to the draft in the next stage, where it is considered by the European Commission directorate concerned with employment and social affairs. But the draft has been two years in the making and we have been very careful not to exceed the powers of European institutions. We hope the commission will give its support," an EDF spokesperson said this week.