The critical space between: Access, inclusion and standards in information technologies

Abstract

By examining the Canadian standards system, and especially the work of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) related to accessibility, this article explores the question: can legislation and/or standards ensure access and inclusion for people with disabilities in the area of information technologies? And if so, what type is required? It argues that the standards system in Canada privileges the voices of industry while creating a discourse of public accountability and corporate social responsibility. This paradox leads to an undervaluing of the need for addressing issues of accessibility and inclusion in information technologies. By proactively seeking out innovators in the disability community and bringing them to the table, the CSA could open up the standards development discussions and find creative solutions to accessibility barriers. The principles of balanced representation and consensus decision-making open the possibility for discussions around standards that can effectively address access and inclusion of people with disabilities in the development and use of information technologies, but only if the systemic barriers to both individual and organizational participation are recognized and addressed.

Keywords:

• information technologies
• accessibility
• inclusion
• standards
• legislation
• corporate social responsibility
• disabilities

Notes

1. Much of this information is based on a presentation by Ian Brodie of the CSA to the 2005 Disability and Information Technologies Institute. My thanks to Ian for sharing this presentation although any errors or interpretations are my own. A report summarizing his presentation, the discussion following it and the Institute in general is available at: http://www.dis-it.ca.

2. See also http://www.csa.ca/standards/default.asp?load = development&language = english for a description of the standards development process.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deborah Stienstra

Deborah Stienstra is Professor and Director of the University of Manitoba's Interdisciplinary Master's Program in Disability Studies in Winnipeg, Canada. She leads a three-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funded team on information technologies and people with disabilities (http://www.dis-it.ca). Her particular research in this team assesses how to ensure that eGovernance initiatives are inclusive for all people. She held the Royal Bank Research Chair in Disability Studies from 2000 to 2003 at the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies.