International Efforts on Accessible ICT: Japan

Takayuki Watanabe (nabe @ lab . twcu . ac . jp)

Dept. Communication, Tokyo Woman's Christian University

CSUN Panel Session (March 23, 2006)
http://www.comm.twcu.ac.jp/~nabe/data/2006/CSUN_ICT/
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Outline of my talk

  1. JIS X 8341, national harmonization
  2. International standard harmonization
  3. Case Study: JIS X 8341-3 and WCAG 2.0

 

I am not a member of SWG-a and I don't represent Japan.
I attend this panel as a person who have made effort to promote i18n std harmonization of Web accessibility.
Actually, as a chair of Japanese WG of Web accessibility guidelines, I'm aware of Japanese harmonization activities of accessibility guidelines.

JIS X 8341: national harmonization

independ. development ⇒ standardize all national ICT accessibility guidelines [Figure]

  1. ISO/IEC Guide 71 (JIS Z 8071), "Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities"
  2. Common guideline: developed under JIS Z 8071
    (JIS X 8341-1, "Guideline for older persons and persons with disabilities -information and communications equipment, software and services- Part1: Common Guidelines")
  3. Specific guidelines: compliant with the common guideline

JIS X 8341-series guidelines

Guideline for older persons and persons with disabilities - IC equipment, software and services

JIS X 8341: Characteristics

  1. 8341 (Japanese reading of "8341" (ya sa shi i) = kind)
  2. WG member:
    • User society
    • industry
    • academia and government
  3. Smooth feedback: User needs → WG → industry
  4. Cooperation: industrial associations and other organizations
    JEITA, CIAJ, JISA, JBMIA, JES, and AEHA

JIS X 8341: Impact on public sector

JIS X 8341: Impact on industry

Some industries worry about the differences between JIS X 8341-3 and WCAG.

I18n Standard Harmonization

Case Study: JIS X 8341-3 and WCAG 2.0

Harmonization with WCAG 2.0

end of the presentation

URL of this slides: http://www.comm.twcu.ac.jp/~nabe/data/2006/CSUN_ICT/

Importance of i18n Std Harmonization

if Web content accessibility guidelines are different among countries. Global company cannot use one template or one CMS to create their Web pages in each countries. If some countries allow JavaScript but some countries do not, a company have to have two systems. That raises the cost of their Web pages and makes it difficult to update every Web sites properly. Then quality of Web sites including accessibility quality is not good in those sites.

Public policy and harmonized 18n std

Japan is an aging society. In 2005 20% of national population is over 65 years old. In 2015 it will be 26%. This means there is a large market for industries. As for older persons, if IC equipments, software, and services are accessible, they can use these technologies to compensate or enhance their ability. Without older persons, working population decrease very rapidly.

Japan promotes "e-Japan strategy". The e-Japan strategy states "the realization of universal and accessible IT society." Fundamental Law for the People with Disabilities requires "realization of information barrier free."

User participants

"Guide 71 provides guidance to writers of relevant International Standards on how to take into account the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities."

end of slides

ICT accessibility and Japan

Japan: an aging society
  • 2005: 20% of national population.
  • 2015: 26%
  • Increasing accessibility market
Disabilities
Regally disabled: 5% (6.6 Million)
ICT
We live in information era.

Independ. national ICT accessibility guidelines

Information Processing Devices (mainly MITI)
  • 1974-1976: JEIDA "Investigation of the Contribution Plan of Rehabilitation toward Disabled People"
  • 1988: JEIDA "Investigation for the Preparation of Electronic Product Accessibility Guidelines"
  • 1990: JEIDA "Computer Accessibility Guidelines"
  • 1995: Notice No. 231 "Accessibility Guidelines for the Use of Computers by People with Disabilities"
  • 2000: Revision and announcement of "Accessibility Guidelines for the Use of Computers by People with Disabilities and Elderly"
Telecommunications Facilities (mainly MPT)
  • 1998: Notice No. 515 "Accessibility Guidelines for the Use of Telecommunication Facilities by People with Disabilities"
  • 1998: Establishment of "Telecommunication Access Council"
  • 1999: MPT and MHW "Guidelines for the Creation of Internet Web Content Accessible by People with Disabilities"
  • 2000: Telecommunication Access Council "Accessibility Guidelines for the Use of Telecommunication Equipment by People with Disabilities"

ISO/IEC Guide 71

"Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities"

This Guide provides guidance to writers of relevant International Standards on how to take into account the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities.

  1. 2001: proposed by Japan, ISO/IEC Guide 71 was issued
  2. International standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
  3. 2003: JIS Z8071 was established based on ISO/IEC Guide 71

JIS Contribution to WCAG WG

Web accessibility problems obvious in Japanese (CSUN2005 presentation)