A working group of Austria's Federal Government affirmed in 1996 that
on the one hand the liberalisation of the conditions for market-entry
(deregulation) constitutes a substantial element of the
telecommunication policy. On the other hand, the transition from a
monopolistic market to competition needs some measures to amend cases
of market malfunction. The primary objectives of the Federal
Government's telecommunication policy are therefore:
the gradual implementation of competition in all market segments in
relation to telecommunication,
provision of fair terms of competition through suitable measures,
ensuring social and regional balanced basic provision based on
universal service under terms of competition.
In order to maximise the potentials for Austria's economy while keeping
in mind the chances as well as the risks of intensified ICT-use for
societal developments, Austria's government aims to:
achieve a stimulating role for the telecommunication-sector which
impacts on the entire economy,
improve the growth potentials of Austria's ICT-sector,
increase availability and quality of ICT-services and applications
while reducing prices,
to ensure social and regional balanced developments.
A number of initiatives are planned and others have already been
carried out to improve ICT-accessibility for disabled, partly on the
federal level and some of them at the Länder-level as follows:
Planned is the implementation of the guidelines for public websites
of WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative). The government's and federal
ministries information and service web-sites are currently evaluated
in co-operation with Austria's Federal Association for the Blind
(Österreichischer Blindenverband) in regard of their adaptation
to the needs of people with specific needs.
Facilitating access via absorption of investment costs for blind and
deaf people.
CICERO-City User Interface is planned. It will be a virtual platform,
easy accessible, which refers to the needs of disadvantaged groups as
elderly or disabled people.
Analysis of barriers and difficulties for disabled people in using
ICT (ongoing). Best-practice-examples should be implemented by
involving the target groups.
The City of Vienna offers public access points, easy to use for
everyone (touchscreens, possibility to send e-mails and use SMS free
of charge. It is part of an e-government concept of the city of
Vienna, offers additional information on city services, medical
services etc. 300 of them should be implemented in the next years.
With regard to appliances for disabled people, the Federal Government
is planning to support the expansion of communication facilities for
disabled people, making use of the opportunities offered by new
technologies.
The Federal Law on Seniors (Bundes-Seniorengesetz), enacted in 1998,
was an important step towards a strengthened position of the elderly.
The Law brought a financial safeguard for seniors' associations and
the services they offer to the elderly (e.g., guidance, information
and support). The Senior's Council role was enhanced and became
acknowledged as the Federal Association for the Elderly representing
their interests. A reform in 2000 increased the role of the Senior's
Council once more by receiving a status at the same level as the
interest groups of the employees, employers and farmers (Austria's
Social Partnership).