Survey reveals smart cities are failing disabled people

Six out of ten global experts say smart cities are failing disabled people, according to a new survey. Smart Cities for All, a global initiative comprising non-profits G3it and World Enabled, says just 18% of experts confirm that the smart city initiatives familiar to them use international standards for ICT accessibility. ICT accessibility is the quality of a mainstream technology to be used by the widest range of users regardless of abilities or disabilities. The survey, based on 175 entrepreneurs in
May 10, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Six out of ten global experts say smart cities are failing disabled people, according to a new survey.

Smart Cities for All, a global initiative comprising non-profits G3it and World Enabled, says just 18% of experts confirm that the smart city initiatives familiar to them use international standards for ICT accessibility.

ICT accessibility is the quality of a mainstream technology to be used by the widest range of users regardless of abilities or disabilities.

The survey, based on 175 entrepreneurs in technology incubators, revealed that only 43% of respondents had a strong understanding of accessibility and inclusion in their own product development and user experience design process. Also, a third of entrepreneurs were not sure if disabled people could even use the technology products and solutions they are currently developing.

To tackle this issue, Smart Cities for All has %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external released false https://smartcities4all.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/I2-Playbook-XT.pdf false false%> its Inclusive Innovation Playbook with the support of 1970 AT&amp;T.

Smart Cities for All says the document lays out five ‘plays’ and related actions that cities can take to infuse incubators, accelerators and innovation process with a commitment to inclusion and accessibility. These include a focus on a city’s people, economic assets, infrastructure, network and enabling public policies. The document draws from successful practices and insights from the private sector, government and civil society.

James Thurston, managing director of Smart Cities for All, says: “Closing the digital divide for the disability and aging communities in Smart Cities will require infusing inclusion, accessibility, and universal design into the innovation of new technology solutions at a scale much greater than is happening today. We think this new playbook will help cities and their partners do exactly that.”

According to Smart Cities for All, the playbook was designed to support entrepreneurs, developers who design technology and smart city solutions, policy makers and civil hacking community leaders. It is also expected to be of interest to smart city programme managers, academics researching innovation and disability organisations.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Karhoo adds London chauffeur service to platform
    April 23, 2019
    Karhoo has partnered with Carey to allow users to book executive chauffeured services across London including to all airports in the UK capital. The deal is set to expand Karhoo’s current offering of around 25,000 taxis and cars which are operating in London. Sandy Miller, CEO of Carey, says users can now access the company’s service on the Karhoo platform in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The partners plan to expand the integration to incorporate Carey's network in more than 1,000 cities worldwide.
    Read More
  • test Story 2013 ITS AMERICA
    March 13, 2013
    Route One Publishing Ltd specialises in providing accurate, timely and unrivalled information on construction equipment and materials, road infrastructure, safety, traffic management, tolling, ITS. Route One Publishing, founded in 1991, is proud to be editorially independent and its magazines are highly regarded throughout the industry for their authority and integrity. Route One Publishing’s editors are recognised experts whose writing is widely trusted and who are regularly invited to moderate at leading
    Read More
  • Parifex unveils Vigie Mobile
    March 20, 2018
    French engineering firm Parifex has developed a selection of non-intrusive roadside control tools to meet the needs of road and traffic authorities around the world which are being showcased at Intertraffic.
    Read More
  • Uber launches shift worker-to-job platform
    October 9, 2019
    Not content with ride-hailing and food delivery, Uber has branched into the employment market. The company has launched its Uber Works platform in Chicago, a service which aims to connect workers with businesses that need to fill available shifts. In a blog post, Uber says the app makes it easier to find and claim a shift “for positions as diverse as being a prep cook, warehouse worker, a commercial cleaner or event staff”. The app also includes information about gross pay, work location and skills, re
    Read More

Highlighted Content