There has been growing concern within the European Commission recently about enabling all sectors of society to benefit from developments in information technology and the growth of mobile commerce, particularly the minorities who may be disenfranchised because of age or disability. Finding and contacting people and organizations is getting more and more difficult due to converging networks and services. The fact that people are increasingly tending to have multiple numbers and addresses, which change frequently, also adds complications. TC HF is expected to produce its deliverables in June 2002. TC Human Factors has a special mandate to ensure that ETSI takes into account all users, including those who are older or disabled.
Human factors is thus a key factor for the commercial success of communication services.
TC HF is reviewing the work items in the ICT Standards Board 'Design for All' report with a view to submitting further applications for funding. The European Commission and the ESOs have agreed to provide the necessary standards and other activities to meet the objectives of the initiative in the requested time frame. A common rolling Action Plan has been developed as the contribution of European Standardization to the eEurope Initiative. The eEurope initiative is a key element in the strategy of modernizing the European economy. The Institute's work programme is determined by its members, who are also responsible for approving its deliverables.