About CFIT
The NCBI Centre for Inclusive Technology (CFIT) was established in January 2005 by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI). Its role is to help work towards an Information Society that is accessible to all.
To be fully part of the social, economic and political life of contemporary Ireland, people have to use a wide range of products and services that are based on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). These include personal computers, application software, telephones, the Internet, digital TV, smart cards, ticket machines, public information displays, mobile devices, and many other technologies.
CFIT's objective is to ensure that ICT-based products and services in Ireland are designed to be accessible to the widest audience, including older people and people with disabilities.
CFIT is pronounced "see fit".
Our Philosophy and Approach
We believe accessibility is important for three reasons:
There is a moral imperative: This must be accepted by anyone who believes in a free and fair society in which each person is able to participate and contribute fully.
It makes good business sense: For a product or service provider, allowing access for all maximizes your customer base and reduces the need to provide for customers through expensive 'alternative' channels. For the country, ensuring access to technologies used in education and employment increases the available labour pool and reduces the cost of maintaining dependency.
It leads to better design: Inclusive design is good design practice because it increases the designers' awareness of users and their needs, leading to increased usability for all. Accessibility is not incompatible with functionality or aesthetics. Our own website is fully functional, aesthetic and accessible.
We take a wide view of accessibility
At CFIT, we believe that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) should be accessible to all people who need or want to use them, regardless of any perceptual or physical limitations they may have.
In our view, accessibility is not just about older people and people with disabilities, although they warrant particular attention. It is also about people who are subject to temporary physical impairments, environmental interference, equipment limitations or situational pressures. Consider the following scenarios.
- Being temporarily unable to use a mouse because of repetitive strain injury
- Using a tourist information kiosk in a noisy public place
- Trying to find information on a website while rushing to meet a Friday deadline
- Using an on-street cash dispenser on a sunny day
- Surfing the Web over a dial-up connection
- Accessing information through an in-car system while driving
The people in these scenarios experience similar sensory, physical and cognitive impairments as many older people and people with disabilities. They therefore require the same accessibility considerations.
Our approach
It is our view that ICT-based products and services will only become fully accessible to all when developers and providers:
- become fully aware of the abilities, limitations, experiences and preferences of older people and people with disabilities;
- realise the benefits to be gained from making products and services accessible to all;
- develop the skills and knowledge required to implement accessible solutions;
- are subject to requirements imposed by legislation and public policy.
CFIT works towards these objectives using Promotion, Education, Assistance and Research.
Promotion
We promote ICT accessibility and the correct use of appropriate technologies. We campaign on behalf of people with disabilities to ensure the accessibility of specific products or services and the adoption of appropriate standards through legislation and public policy.
We also promote the benefits of Inclusive Design. We advocate an active role for older people and people with disabilities in the design and evaluation of ICT products and services.
Education
We educate technology designers, developers, managers and students in the fundamentals of accessibility and how to achieve it. We provide awareness raising to a wide audience on access issues and the benefits of Inclusive Design.
CFIT provides a resource for NCBI staff, NCBI service users and their representatives. It allows them to learn about ICT accessibility so they can make more informed decisions about the choice and use of appropriate equipment.
Assistance
We provide practical help to organisations wishing to develop or implement accessible solutions. This takes the form of accessibility auditing, user testing and technical support. CFIT provides expertise and services to anyone in the private or public sector on an equal footing. We do not form exclusive partnerships.
Research
CFIT takes part in many Irish and European research and standardisation initiatives.