Big leap towards a barrier-free info-communication

In his opening remarks MEP Kósa emphasized that there are hundreds of millions of people with disabilities in the world whose everyday communication problems could be easily resolved by providing barrier-free cell-based solutions and applications. He underlined the importance of exchanging good practices and a new type of cooperation between users with disabilities, development experts and EU decision makers.

The invited speakers were Michael Milligan, Secretary General of Mobile Manufacturers Forum; Mário Campolargo, Director of the DG INFSO at European Commission; Javier Güemes, acting Director of European Disability Forum and David Happy, Vice President of the Samsung Corporation UK.

During the event representatives from the Mobile Manufacturers' Forum (MMF) presented the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI). The online GARI database helps those with particular needs to find a suitable mobile phone thus help them to take full advantage of the benefits of wireless communications. The European Commission and major manufacturers have certainly recognized the needs of people with disabilities, and this project plays an important part in this.

"It is my pleasure to see that competitors of the mobile communication sector have put aside their conflicts and successfully started working together on accessibility to support people with disabilities and a sustainable ageing society", said MEP Kósa, the first and only deaf representative in the European Parliament.

For further information on the topic visit MMF www.mobileaccessibility.info

Background: As a follow-up of this meeting MEP Ádám Kósa will make an official visit to Japan in mid-October and consult experts, stakeholders and key players in order to promote a more successful cooperation for developing a demand-based barrier-free mobile communication.