Employers’ Forum on Disability announces the first Accessible Technology Charter for global business

24th November 2011

Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) is launching the corporate ‘Accessible Technology Charter – enabling global business’ at its 20th anniversary celebration on 24 November at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane in London.

This charter, drafted by senior IT executives, members of EFD’s Business Taskforce on Accessible Technology (BTAT), will make it easier to access the talent and the spending power of the one billion people worldwide who have a disability. BTAT members aim to transform the global ICT market so that it liberates the potential of technology to enable everyone to contribute to the global economy. It should also become increasingly difficult for corporations and individuals alike to buy inaccessible or unusable technology in the first place.

The launch of the 10-point charter, supported by 17 prominent blue-chip corporations and government departments, marks the culmination of a two year programme of work that started with the business-led development of the first ever Accessibility Maturity Model and a practical business toolkit on how to cut the costs associated with poor accessibility performance. Targeted at the Fortune 500 list, as well as major public sector organisations, the charter enables corporate users of technology to work in partnership with their global suppliers in a way which will deliver benefits to both charter signatories and to the economies in which they operate.

EFD is launching a campaign to encourage every corporate user of technology to sign this charter and invest in their organisation’s future workforce and profitability. So far,17 businesses and government departments - Accenture, Alexander Mann, Barclays, BSkyB, BT, BUPA, Cisco, DWP, Ernst and Young, Fujitsu, GSK, HMRC, Lloyds Banking Group, Microlink. Microsoft UK, Oracle and Sainsbury’s have demonstrated their commitment by signing the charter.

EFD’s CEO Susan Scott-Parker said:
“EFD is very proud of the 17 ‘launch signatories’ who as thought leaders have determined to reform this dysfunctional market place in such a practical and business oriented fashion. Global businesses need to get the most from the talent they employ, to improve productivity, increase their market-share and to increase profitability. Our Accessible Technology Charter heralds the start of a campaign to encourage every corporate user of technology to demonstrate their commitment to their disabled employees and customers, indeed to all their employees and customers, by signing. We are calling on the world’s leading businesses to join us and to make it easier for customers with disabilities to do business with them, and for employees to perform their best.”

Gordon Frazer, Managing Director, Microsoft UK and Vice President, Microsoft International, said:
"We have a long heritage in accessibility and I am very proud that Microsoft has become a founding signatory to the Accessible Technology Charter. We believe that innovative technology has a role to play in removing the barriers to the participation of disabled and older people within the workforce and as customers. In signing the charter Microsoft UK has committed to providing accessible solutions for our employees, prospective employees and our customers and I would encourage other businesses to do the same."

Adam Raeburn-James, Vice President Desktop Services, GSK said:
"BTAT has helped us get really clear about the changes we need to make to ensure we attract the right staff and maximize the productivity of the whole workforce. It has also provided a way to help shape the technology industry to increase focus on enabling technology and to make it easier for organisations like us to provide the right support."

Mark Fisher, Director of Group IT & Operations, Lloyds Banking Group said:
“The BTAT Charter is a simple but effective way for organisations to demonstrate an understanding of what ‘good’ looks like with regard to ICT accessibility; for Lloyds Banking Group it provides a clear focus on our journey to best practise and is really shaping our future plans."

Jacki Connor, Sainsbury’s Director of Colleague Engagement, said: “Sainsbury’s is fully committed to being a place where disabled people can work and shop so we are delighted to be a founding party to the Charter. We hope that other businesses will follow our example and ensure that they do everything they can to ensure accessibility and opportunity for all.”

Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries said:
"As Minister responsible for eAccessibility, I'm delighted by the commitment the launch signatories have demonstrated, in signing up to this important BTAT initiative. The Charter is a practical way for leading businesses to show they respond to the needs of everyone who uses their technology, and to drive change in the technology market."

Notes to editors

1. Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary on 24 November, at 18.30- 21.00, InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, London, W1J 7QY. The event is by invitation only.
   
2. In 2008, EFD founded the Business Taskforce on Accessible Technology (BTAT) to enable global and UK business to make accessibility and usability fundamental to ICT. For more information on BTAT, the Accessibility Maturity Model and business toolkit visit: www.btat.org  
   
3. The Accessible Technology Charter is available to download here: www.btat.org/charter  
   
4. The Business Taskforce on Accessible Technology members who have signed the Accessible Technology Charter are: Accenture, Alexander Mann, Barclays, BSkyB, BT, BUPA, Cisco, DWP, Ernst and Young, Fujitsu, GSK, HMRC, Lloyds Banking Group, Microlink, Microsoft, Oracle and Sainsbury’s.
   

Ends

Notes to editors

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk