There are some great rural treasures and architectural wonders.
To the North there are rolling green hills and can compare the landscapes found in the UK, while the south offers more of a contrast of a Egyptian Desert and rugged mountain ranges.

Spain has tremendous history, which can be seen within the prehistoric cave paintings, castles, Gothic cathedrals and Roman Ruins. To get the most out of your trip to Spain car hire is a must, get mobile and off the beaten track.

The Best Little Outhouse in Town!

An award-winning universally designed public restroom outside Bangkok, Thailand.

Brussels, 22 April 2008

Dear President,

It is with great satisfaction that I am writing to you, following public announcements made by your services that a proposal for a European directive fighting discrimination against disabled people will be proposed to the College of Commissioners at the end of June as part of a comprehensive ‘Social package’.

This is the best response that you, together with Commissioner Vladimir Špidla, could give to the ‘1million4disability’ campaign that EDF has led over last year, and that has gathered the support of over 1.364.984 citizens including prominent national and European politicians, representatives of a wide variety of civil society organizations, trade unions, and heads of State. It is also very significant as it is the first citizen’s initiative that is followed up by the European Commission, even before the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. All citizens will rejoice of your decision, as it sets a positive example of democratic dialogue between the European Commission and the people of Europe.

EDF had been campaigning for a disability specific directive since 2000. In 2003, at the closing of the European Year of People with Disabilities, the European Commission, while stating that the time was not ripe, announced that there would be a disability specific directive.

This directive is also a first significant step in the process of implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that the European Commission is about to ratify, as non discrimination is a prominent element in this new binding Human Rights instrument, which covers civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights.

EDF would like to express its gratitude and support for such an important initiative, which will contribute to strengthening non discrimination acquis, and to establishing a strong link between disability, non discrimination and Human Rights, across the European Union.

Until today, too many citizens with disabilities have remained among the most invisible and neglected, segregated in institutions or even in their homes; they have been denied access to education, employment, transport, social or health services, they have been unable to access information, watch television, to go to cinemas and restaurants as any other citizen…

A European legislation will allow persons with disabilities to have access to the same rights across the EU, and to benefit for the first time from free movement rights, from which they have been so long deprived.

50 million disabled persons across Europe and their families are looking forward to an ambitious and effective legislation tackling rights of disabled people in all areas of life, able to create change and making the EU the most advanced region for disability rights. EDF has drafted a proposal for legislation with the support of legal experts, published on our website. We are at the disposal of your services for further contributions.

It is also critical that such legislation adequately addresses the situations of multiple discrimination, in which all disabled people may find themselves, regardless of their age, sex, religion or belief, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. EDF is also calling on all EU institutions to move forward the debate on legislative measures that will strengthen provisions fighting discrimination on all grounds of Article 13.

EDF is also calling on the Council of the EU, the Member States who will be called to decide on such a proposal, and the European Parliament that has supported a disability specific directive in so many statements, resolutions and reports over the last seven years, to carry forward such disability legislation, which will undoubtedly bring citizens closer to the European Union.

Yannis Vardakastanis

President of the European Disability Forum

Read a selection of key support messages in favour of European disability legislation: http://www.1million4disability.eu/supporters.asp?langue=EN

For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication and Press Officer; Tel: (+32 2) 282 46 04; Mobile phone: (+ 32 ) 485 64 39 93; E-mail: communication@edf-feph.org

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 50 million disabled citizens in Europe. EDF membership includes national umbrella organisations of disabled people from all EU/EEA countries, as well as European NGOs representing the different types of disabilities, organisations and individuals committed to disability issues. The mission of the European Disability Forum is to ensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.

Lettre ouverte à José Manuel Barroso,
Président de la Commission européenne

Bruxelles, 22 avril 2008

Monsieur le Président,

C’est avec une immense satisfaction que je vous adresse ce courrier, suite à l’annonce publiée par vos services stipulant qu’une directive européenne de lutte contre la discrimination des personnes handicapées serait proposée au Collège des Commissaires à la fin du mois de juin, dans le cadre d’un ‘paquet social’ global.

C’est la meilleure réponse que vous pouviez offrir, conjointement avec le Commissaire Vladimir Spidla, à la campagne ‘1million4disability’ (Un million pour le handicap) orchestrée l’an dernier par le FEPH et qui a rallié le soutien de plus de 1.364.984 citoyens, dont d’éminents responsables politiques nationaux et européens, des représentants d’une large palette d’organisations de la société civile, des syndicats et des chefs d’Etat. Il s’agit d’un événement marquant vu que cette initiative de démocratie participative est la première à être mise en œuvre par la Commission européenne, avant même l’entrée en vigueur du Traité de Lisbonne. Tous les citoyens se réjouiront de votre décision qui constitue un exemple positif de dialogue démocratique entre la Commission européenne et la population européenne.

Le FEPH fait campagne en faveur d’une directive axée sur le handicap depuis l’an 2000. En 2003, lors de la clôture de l’Année européenne des personnes handicapées, bien qu’en précisant que le moment n’était pas encore l’approprié, la Commission européenne avait annoncé qu’il y aurait une directive axée sur le handicap.

Cette directive constitue également une première avancée de taille dans le processus de mise en œuvre de la Convention des Nations Unies relative aux droits des personnes handicapées que la Commission européenne est sur le point de ratifier. En effet, la non-discrimination constitue un élément prépondérant de ce nouvel instrument contraignant afférent aux droits de l’Homme qui couvre les droits civils, politiques, sociaux, économiques et culturels des personnes handicapées.

Le FEPH souhaiterait exprimer sa gratitude et apporter son appui à une initiative d’une telle importance qui permettra de consolider les acquis en terme de non-discrimination et de tisser un lien solide entre le handicap, la non-discrimination et les droits de l’Homme dans toute l’Union européenne.

Jusqu’à aujourd’hui, trop de citoyens handicapés sont restés invisibles, ont été laissés à l’écart, confinés dans des institutions, voire même dans leurs maisons. L’accès à l’éducation, à l’emploi, au transport, aux services sociaux et de santé leur a été trop longtemps refusé. Ils n’ont pas été en mesure d’avoir accès à l’information, de regarder la télévision, de se rendre au cinéma ou au restaurant comme le citoyen lambda…

Une législation européenne permettra aux personnes handicapées de jouir des mêmes droits dans toute l’UE, de bénéficier pour la première fois des droits à la libre circulation dont elles ont été si longtemps privées.

50 millions de personnes handicapées de toute l’Europe et leurs familles espèrent une législation ambitieuse et efficace qui examine les droits des personnes handicapées dans tous les domaines de la vie quotidienne, capable de susciter le changement et de faire de l’UE la région la plus à la pointe en matière de droits des personnes handicapées. Le FEPH a rédigé une proposition de législation avec l’aide de juristes et l’a publiée sur son site web. Nous restons à la disposition de vos services pour toute aide complémentaire.

Il est également impératif qu’une telle législation aborde adéquatement les situations de discrimination multiple que toutes les personnes handicapées sont susceptibles de rencontrer indépendamment de leur âge, de leur sexe, de leur religion ou de leurs convictions, de leur origine ethnique ou de leur orientation sexuelle. Le FEPH exhorte également les institutions européennes à faire progresser le débat sur les mesures législatives qui renforceront les dispositions visant à lutter contre la discrimination fondée sur l’ensemble des motifs énoncés dans l’Article 13.

Le FEPH invite aussi le Conseil de l’UE, les Etats membres qui seront appelés à se prononcer sur une telle proposition, ainsi que le Parlement européen qui s’est exprimé en faveur d’une directive axée sur le handicap dans de nombreuses déclarations, résolutions ou rapports publiés ces sept dernières années, à faire avancer la législation en matière de handicap qui rapprochera indubitablement les citoyens de l’Union européenne.

Yannis Vardakastanis

Président du Forum européen des personnes handicapées.

Lisez une sélection de déclarations clé en faveur d’une législation européenne en matière de handicap: http://www.1million4disability.eu/supporters.asp?langue=EN

Pour plus d’information, veuillez contacter: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, Responsable de Communication et Presse; Tel: (+32 2) 282 46 04; GSM : (+ 32 ) 485 64 39 93; Courriel: communication@edf-feph.org

Le Forum européen des personnes handicapées (FEPH) est la plateforme européenne qui représente les intérêts de 50 millions de citoyens handicapés au sein de l’Union européenne. Les organisations membres du FEPH incluent les plateformes nationales des personnes handicapées de tous les Etats membres de l’UE et de l’Espace économique européen, ainsi que les ONG européennes représentant les différents types de handicap. La mission du FEPH est de garantir le respect total des droits fondamentaux et humains des personnes handicapées par le biais d’une implication active dans le développement et application des politiques européennes.

Este sistema permite transmitir mensajes gestuales a cualquier parte del mundo descargando de la página web de Skype el software que permite establecer la comunicación de manera gratuita.

Sólo será necesario contar con un ordenador con conexión a Internet, el software de Skype y la vídeo cámara de alta calidad de Logitech por el precio de 99 euros.

El responsable de imagen y comunicación de Skype, David Málaga, apuntó en rueda de prensa que para las personas con disminución auditiva esta nueva aplicación tecnológica va a suponer un avance clave en el camino hacia el derrumbe de las barreras de la comunicación.

La vídeo cámara que se ha presentado hoy de Logitech ofrece una calidad de 30 imágenes por segundo y según el jefe de producto de Logitech, Max Valls, la cámara permite apreciar detalles y movimientos casi imperceptibles sin cortes ni saltos.

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=15193&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

In August 2007 Brighton & Hove became the first area in the country to introduce talking bus stops for blind and visually impaired people. Brighton and Hove City Council, in conjunction with Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, have a well-established award-winning accessible bus policy.

The RNIB React system links into the city’s Bus Real Time Information signs allowing blind and visually impaired people to hear announcements at bus stops which tells them which bus stop they are at, which buses are coming and when they are due to arrive, meaning they no longer need to rely on fellow passengers for help.

Brighton & Hove City Council and the Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company have a quality bus partnership and, between them, have won major awards for bus accessibility policies, the real time information system and for innovations which have generally helped to increase bus patronage year on year, against national trends. The RNIB React system is another step towards making the city more accessible, bringing independence and confidence for blind and visually impaired people who want to use local buses. Talking bus stops were introduced in July and launched city-wide at 20 bus stops and a further 2 bus stops in East Sussex.

A multi-disciplinary working group was been formed, including councillors, officers, system designers, users, local politicians and consultants. A partnership was formed with the Royal National Institute for Blind (RNIB) to evolve a RNIB React system from providing orientation messages to include Real Time Information. The interface to provide a text to speech link with the Siemens VDO Passenger Information Displays was created by working with SFX Technologies, whilst Atkins Consultants helped with project management. The resulting system can be replicated in other areas and interest has already been shown from London local authorities.

In Brighton and Hove 1900 people were registered blind or partially sighted in March 2006 (DoH). It is estimated by the RNIB that under-registration is running at 20%, meaning that up to 2375 people in the city (1.0% of the local population ) could benefit from using Talking bus stops. The number of people with sight impairment problems is likely to double over the next 25 years as the population ages and diseases such as diabetes (a major cause of sight loss) becomes more prevalent.

People over the age of 60 and all eligible people with disabilities can have concessionary bus travel in the city. The majority of Blind and partially sighted people (81%) are aged 65 and older so this new system helps to ensure that this section of the population who qualify for free travel can actually make good use of it!”

“Brighton & Hove’s Talking Bus Stops were officially launched in August to a group of 70 users. Already one user has reported that he won’t leave home without his key fob now and it has become as important to him as his mobile phone. Mick Etheridge says “I travel into Brighton quite a lot on the buses and before the signs were made audio I used to struggle as it was not always possible to find someone to ask for the next bus time.?

Alison Evans is also a regular user of the system: “I use my keyfob daily on my way to work and home from work to check when my bus is due. In the evening I have a choice of buses and it helps me to know which one is due first so I can make the decision which one to get, rather than having to get whichever one arrives first because I don’t know how long it is until the next one. What is even better is that my partner and I live in Peacehaven and Brighton & Hove Council were able to work with East Sussex County Council and install 2 of the React units at bus stops we both use regularly. It really is a great system and well done Brighton & Hove for being the first council to use the React system in this manner.”

Source:

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=15193&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

<1__

Award category: 11) Building a fairer society with e-Government: Targeted or localised services
Sponsored by KPMG
(Using ICT & e-Government services to improve social inclusion for specific groups of excluded or disadvantaged people).

Talking Bus Stops for the blind and visually impaired (linked to Real Time Bus Information signs)

Brighton & Hove City Council Sustainable Transport www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

- RNIB React System links into Siemens Real Time Bus Information System – Atkins Consultancy provided help with project management – SFX Technologies enabled the RNIB React system to link into the real time information system

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=15193&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
–!>

May 15-16, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia

CIB Conference Website

CATEA is pleased to join the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building (CIB),the National Research Council, and the Construction Technologies Institution in organizing the Working Commission 084 “Building Comfortable Environments for All” to be held at Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture.

Topic areas are related to Accessibility and Usability of the built environment, including:

* Economic Issues of Accessibility
* Harmonization of Legislation and Standards
* Sports, Recreation and Accessible Environments
* Education and Training
* Universal Design at the Urban Scale
* Technological Tools Supporting the Accessible Environment

The objectives of the CIB WG084/2008 Meeting are to explore and discuss:

* Challenges, issues and priorities that concern creating a built environment for all;
* How developing countries can address these challenges, what may be learned and adapted from developed countries, and how we can all join together to meet the international goal of creating a built environment for all;
* How research and innovation can be used to help all countries address current and future demands of building inclusive environments for all.

The Conference Registration fee will include a continental breakfast, lunch and breaks for the two days. To register and pay by credit card: Georgia Tech’s EPay System

* Early registration (on or before April 30) – $125 USD
* Late registration (May 1 – May 16) – $135 USD

Please contact Trin Intra at CATEA for more information about registration.
Phone: 404-894-0954
Email: trin.intra@coa.gatech.edu

Every town on the Cape holds its town meeting in a location that at least meets the minimum standards to be accessible to voters who use wheelchairs.

But town meeting venues aren’t always so accommodating for those who are visually or hearing-impaired.

The article goes on to document a lack of awareness of accessibility requirements by towns in the area. With financial pressures to save money this is not a hopeful sign.

The Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC) is a new non-profit organization that has been established to promote the adoption of universal design. It is modeled after the Green Building Council which has played an important role in increasing adoption of sustainable design practices in the building industry. Our intent is to address the need for greater usability in buildings in response to many social trends, e.g. the aging of society, globalization and social diversity.

Our first activity will be to develop voluntary guidance standards for applying universal design to commercial buildings. These standards will complement existing accessibility standards and regulations. In fact, we expect that no building will receive an accreditation from the GUDC if it does not meet accessibility regulations as a basic requirement and thus, our work will improve compliance with access laws. Like the GBC’s LEED standards, the UD Standards will provide a rating system to accredit buildings that address higher levels of usability than accessibility codes and include issues beyond their scope.

The UD Standards will be flexible and allow each project to achieve accreditation in different ways in response to different conditions. Points will be awarded in different categories and there will be a graduated level of achievement based on a percentage of total points received. Neither the rating system nor the accreditation levels have been established, but work is underway on a preliminary draft that will be presented to the public at a kick-off meeting at the end of May. Attached is an announcement for that meeting. An open process will be used to develop the UD Standards, including the conceptual framework for the rating system and levels. The preliminary draft will simply be a point of departure.

We welcome your involvement in this process and the new Commission and hope that you will be able to attend the kick-off meeting for the standards development project.

*This activity is partially supported by the RERC on Universal Design and the Built Environment through funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

(Source: RERCUD-ENEWSLETTER-LIST@LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU )

Note that this is something that we called for at ICAT 2007 in Bangkok and, although I was unaware of this initiative, the move toward standardization by industry was the pivotal “sign of the times” that my address to the gathering revolved around.

Invitation

Organizational Meeting:
Voluntary Standards Development Process for Universal Design (UD) in Commercial Development

Hosted by:

• Global Universal Design Commission, Inc.
• Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University
• Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA)
• National Council for Independent Living (NCIL)

As a member of the design, development, disability and/or aging communities, you are invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the Global Universal Design Commission, Inc., and join with other hosts to organize a consensus voluntary standard development process that accelerates the consistent, knowledge-driven translation and use of UD across commercial development and the built environment.

Sincerely,

Peter Blanck, Chairman, Global Universal Design Commission, Inc.
Ed Steinfeld, Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access
Graham Hill, Global Universal Design Forum, Inc. – Chair of Standards Development Committee

Date: May 30, 2008
10am – 1pm

Location: Carousel Mall
Sky Deck, 6th Floor
Syracuse, New York

Purpose: To organize and initiate the process to develop a consensus guidance standard for Universal Design (UD) in commercial development. UD is the design of the built environment and products to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

Launched in a rapidly graying nation where over 40 percent of the population is expected to be over 65 age by mid-century…

Over 40 percent of Nissan’s Japanese and U.S. sales are to customers over 50 years old, according to the company.