WRITTEN QUESTION E-0529/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Workplace equipment for blind switchboard operators

The occupation of switchboard operator is one of the few employment opportunities available to blind people. As a consequence of advances in the field of electronics, switchboards are currently being manufactured in such a way that blind and partially-sighted people are no longer able to work independently and in the most effective manner. The new switchboards often do not permit blind people to identify incoming calls, lines which are not engaged, and the engaged signal for internal telephones, as such information only appears on a display suitable for use by people who are able to see. Blind people need to be provided with the information in an acoustic form or in a form identifiable to the touch. In order to ensure that blind and partially-sighted people continue to have the opportunity to work as switchboard operators, and are able to exercise their right to work, it is important for producers of telephone equipment to manufacture switchboards in such a way that they can be easily and inexpensively adapted for use by blind people.

Do European directives or regulations exist requiring manufacturers to design equipment in such a way as to meet the needs of blind people?

Does the Commission intend to duly examine this problem and to submit appropriate proposals for legislation?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 2000)

The Commission believes that developments taking place in the field of new technologies can and must be used in order to create new employment opportunities for the disabled, including blind people. In addition, the focus should no longer be on low-skilled and often repetitive jobs which do not reflect the vocational skills or motivation of the people concerned.

Technology is now available to allow adaptation of telecommunication switchboards for people with visual impairment using standard flexible personal computer technology to interface with the operator. In addition, both software and hardware exists to increase the accessibility of computer technologies to those with visual impairment. It is therefore questionable to what extent it is necessary to impose additional technical specifications to ensure a higher level of adaptation for such equipment. Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and the Council of 9 March 1999, relating to radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment(1) gives the Commission the possibility to consider whether certain classes of equipment need to be re-designed to facilitate their use by people with different forms of impairment. The Commission set up study groups (in which groups with various forms of disability were represented) to assess the requirements for applying this provision. As a result of the discussions the Commission concluded that, at present, there is no substantive justification to apply this provision, given that the barriers to access identified were not of a technical nature.

Furthermore, under the Community policy on the standardisation of the information society, the Commission gave a standardisation mandate to the European standardisation bodies, namely the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (Cenelec) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), with the aim of identifying specific standardisation needs in order to improve the integration of disabled people into the information society.

Lastly, in November 1999, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation(2). The proposal makes provision for equal employment opportunities, in particular by requiring employers, within reasonable limits, to adapt workstations for disabled people.

(1) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.

(2) COM(1999) 565 final.