ISOC-AU Receives Grant for Internet Accessibility
MEDIA RELEASE
ISOC-AU Receives Grant for Internet Accessibility
1 July 2009
The Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) has just received a grant of
approximately $US 10,000 from the global Internet Society (ISOC) to develop
capacity in other ISOC Chapters to advocate for Internet accessibility for
people with disabilities.
ISOC-AU Director Gunela Astbrink said that people with disabilities should be
able to participate in the Internet economy. "This means more than technical
'access' to the Internet; it means that the applications, equipment and even
the structure of the network should be designed to meet the needs of all
people, including people with disabilities." And, as use of the Internet
becomes more mobile, people will need to use the Internet in more constrained
situations such as noisy, busy areas, which means accessibility needs are
higher.
Globally there are 650 million people with disabilities, with a large
percentage in developing countries. "An accessible Internet will provide the
same opportunities for employment, education and recreational pursuits to
people with disabilities as are enjoyed by the rest of the population," Ms
Astbrink said
This project will have two parts: the development of materials that will be
trialled at workshops, with the revised materials made available to ISOC
chapters globally, and the conduct of the two pilot workshops (the first at
PacINET and the second at the Internet Governance Forum meeting in Egypt).
Other ISOC grants will fund community-based Internet projects around the world
to promote Internet access and education for underserved communities. Funded
projects will tackle issues ranging from deploying wireless networks to connect
schools in Bolivia, to establishing a regional Internet training center in
Armenia, and to educating senior citizens in France.
The Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) is a non-profit society founded in
1996 which promotes the Internet development in Australia for the whole
community - private, academic and business users: the Internet is for everyone!
ISOC-AU is a chapter of the worldwide Internet Society and is a peak body
organisation, representing the interests of Internet users in this country.
Media contacts:
Gunela Astbrink
Director, ISOC-AU
0417 715 738
g.astbrink@gsa.com.au
Tony Hill
President, ISOC-AU
0412 128 755
President@isoc-au.org.au