Summary of issues and results from GSC-11 User Workshop

1. GSC11_Closing(10) Summary of issues and results from GSC-11 User Workshop Chair: Dan Bart (TIA) Vice Chair: Jørgen Friis (ETSI) Secretary: John Derr GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

2. User Workshop Major Topics • Summary of Issues and Conclusions from GSC-10 User Workshop • Work of GSC-11 User Working Group • Government Discussions on Regulatory Cooperation and Standards (NIST) • ANSI Focus on Consumer Interests • Panel on Accessibility • JTC1, TIA, ATIS, ACIF/CTN, U.S. Access Board • Cybersecurity • Emergency Communications for Persons with Disabilities • Gallaudet University State of Science Conference • ANSI HSSP Emergency Communications • Individuals/Organizations Preparedness for Emergencies • Impact of new Technologies on Users (Microsoft) • ACIF TCN Presentation on Consumer Research (VoIP) GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

3. US Government Focus on Regulatory Cooperation and Standards; Consideration of User/Consumer Needs • Discussion topic: • Presentation (National Institute of Standards and Technology; NIST) on regulatory cooperation and standards–(userworkshop_09) • Significant Points: • U.S.-EU ICT Standards dialogue first launched in 2004 and reinvigorated in 2005 as part of U.S.-EU innovation initiative • One current focus is e-accessibility • One goal of e-accessibility dialogue is to avoid creating technical specifications and regulations that may stifle accessibility innovation and technology issues to detriment of both suppliers and end-users • U.S. Access Board plans to update Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (Section 508) and Telecom Act Accessibility Guidelines (Section 255) • Last updates were made 5 years (Section 508) and 8 years (Section 255) ago GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

4. ANSI Focus on Consumer Interests • Discussion topic: • Presentation (American National Standards Institute; ANSI) on Consumer Interests–(userworkshop_02) • Significant points: • ANSI supporting consumers and other users of standards through ANSI Consumer Interest Forum (CIF). Focus of CIF includes, • Outreach and networking • Facilitating enhanced consumer interest and participation in standards activities • Representing U.S. on Committee on Consumer Policy of ISO (COPOLCO) • U.S. Standards Strategy (USSS) approved December 2005 • Improves responsiveness of standards system to views and needs of consumers • Industry should use consumer research as basis for standards initiative and decision GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

5. Accessibility Panel • Discussion topics: • Presentation (JTC1) Special Working Group on Accessibility–(userworkshop_18) • Presentation (TIA) Status Report on Digital Cordless Telephones (userworkshop_12) • Presentation (ATIS) Meeting the User’s Requirement (userworkshop_03) • Presentation (ACIF/CTN) A User’s Perspective (userworkshop_05) • Presentation (Access Board) Advisory Committee on Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (userworkshop_13) • Significant points: • JTC1 to create/optimize structure to more effectively address accessibility issues • JTC 1 Special WG on Accessibility formed October 2004, see www.jtc1access.org • Next meeting 18-22 September 2006 in Brussels, host CEN/USSS • Australian model for accessibility, “nothing (decided) about us without us” • ACIF/CTN—much to be done to expand level of consultation with consumers in standards-setting forums • ACIF/CTN—mutually beneficial outcomes can be achieved by continuing to work collaboratively with industry • ACIF/CTN—consumers need more centralized features so they can find the equipment they need; in global market, international cooperation makes sense • Q&A Session—those with disabilities should be the ones to education others on disability issues GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

6. Other Workshop Presentation Topics • Information topics: • Cybersecurity –(userworkshop_15, userworkshop_04, 04a1, 04a2) • Emergency Communications for Persons with Disabilities • “Accessible Emergency Notification and Communication: Gallaudet State of Science Conference” http://tap.gallaudet.edu/emergencycommconf.htm • ANSI Homeland Security Standards Panel (HSSP) Activities: Emergency Communications and Citizen Preparedness http://www.ansi.org/hssp and www.hssd.us • Impact of New Technologies on Users (Microsoft)--(userworkshop_07) • Privacy and identity theft issues • Microsoft’s new “Infocard” technology • ACIF CTN Presentation on“Consumer Research – Expectations and Experiences with VoIP”—(userworkshop_17 and _16) • VoIP services need to be more user friendly and accessible • 7 recommendations made in report GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

7. Conclusions from Workshop • Regulatory collaboration; U.S.-EC dialogue on ICT noted some concerns on rate of progression in EU related to accessibility • Dialogue also noted recognition that different approaches need to be taken into account • Continued regulatory cooperation is important and continuing to learn from each other • PSOs need to be more proactive in increasing involvement of users in the standards-developing process • Improving 2-way education (users, PSOs) is of critical importance • education with PSO “process” also helps with success • improving and maintaining dialogue between users and PSOs • be proactive, do not wait until an issue arises before action is taken • Limited financial resources of users is a problem and impacts participation of users around the world • Encourage governments to incorporate user concerns within their programs GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

8. Conclusions from Workshop, continued • May have to accommodate users to facilitate participation • Recognition that good communications is essential • Importance of equipment design using principles of universal design with ongoing incorporation of usability aspects • Continue improvements of usability of the internet for people with disabilities • importance of managing cybersecurity at home and at work, including protection of children online • (ACIF/TCN)--Improving useability with VoIP services • recognizing different broadband standards exist in different regions • Assist PSOs to encourage development of more user friendly and cost effective products GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

9. Conclusions from Workshop, continued • (ACIF/TCN)—Consumers need more centralized features so they can find the equipment they need; in global market, international cooperation makes sense • X those with disabilities should be the ones to educate others on accessibility issues • It is recognized that communication at large is an essential service for disabled people to participate fully in society as well as performing everyday tasks • User Workshop was a good use of participant’s time: focus on user needs/issues, not just standardization programs as do other GSC sessions – encouraged this model for future meetings. GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications

10. Thank you Dan Bart (TIA) dbart@tiaonline.org, +1 703 907 7703 Jørgen Friis (ETSI) jorgen.friis@etsi.org, +33 4 92 94 42 11 GSC: Standardization Advancing Global Communications