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

  • Smart cities: engineering the future
    October 14, 2013
    The UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) smart cities meeting on 16 October will debate the technologies, skills and innovation needed to deliver the smart cities of the future. Prof Dr Uwe Krueger, CEO of Atkins, will discuss how coping with mass urbanisation will require a new kind of design, engineering and delivery – one which delivers adaptable and smart solutions, prioritises materials and energy efficiency and yet still meets the highest standards of quality and safety. It will me
    Read More
  • European Court of Justice rules Uber as a Transport service
    December 22, 2017
    The European Court of Justice has ruled against Uber, concluding it to be a transport service, which will require it to have stricter regulation and licensing as a taxi operator within the EU. The decision follows a challenge presented by taxi drivers in Barcelona who were seeking a declaration from a court in 2014 that activities of Uber Systems Spain, amounted to misleading practices and acts of unfair competition.
    Read More
  • Eastlink launches self-driving survey, Australia
    September 11, 2017
    Toll route operator Eastlink, with support from Australian Road Research Board, has launched the first of an annual Victorian self-driving vehicle survey for Victorian motorists’ attitudes to and perceptions of self-driving vehicles, to be completed 8 October 2017. The first major survey is aimed at motorists, irrespective of whether they use Eastlink and will be repeated annually to track changes into the future
    Read More
  • ITS International 2013 Readership Survey
    March 13, 2013
    The ITS International 2013 Readership Survey is now out! You may have received an invitation earlier in the week to complete the 2013 Readership Survey. The Readership Survey was sent exclusively to our registered subscribers asking them to comment on all aspects of ITS International; print, eNewsletter and website. This is a great opportunity for you to give input directly to the editorial team and help shape the future of the magazine.
    Read More

Highlighted Content