The PTS model for developing and providing inclusive ICT-services

Acronym of the case:

PTS ICT-services and

Web address of the case:

http://www.pts.se/upload/Ovrigt/Om-PTS/infoma...

Country of the case:

Sweden

City/region:

Nation-wide Coverage

Posting Date:

29 September 2008

Last Edited Date:

30 September 2008

Author:

Wahlquist Malin (PTS)

services | PTS | projects

Type of initiative

Project or service

Case Abstract

Strategy for achieving the disability policy objectives

One of the Swedish Post and Telecom Agencyâ€™s (PTS) roles is to procure services and R&D-projects in order to provide and develop ICT-services within the area of electronic communication and post for people with functional impairments (disabilities).
The primary orientation of the strategy (adopted in 2005) for PTS for achieving the disability policy objectives, is to broaden the focus from filling gaps in the range of communications to endeavouring to influence the market stakeholders to offer public communications services that also satisfy the needs of people with disabilities. The aim is to reduce the need for special solutions and instead promote Design for all in the development of ICT-services.
PTS provides six services within electronic communication and two postal services for people with disabilities where market solutions do not exist. PTS also conducts R&D-projects to evaluate usability and new technology.

State funds for procurement of services and R&D-projects

Sweden has chosen procurement as a method to secure these services. PTS strives for a fast and flexible way of working that enables us to cooperate with a broad spectrum of providers with special knowledge of the area. An important goal for PTSâ€™s R&D-projects is to work with a wide representation of different types of disabilities. The authorityâ€™s work in the disability area is financed through state funds, allocated to PTS on a yearly basis.

Information and dialogue with stakeholders

PTS ambition is to establish platforms for dialogue and transference of knowledge between market players such as producers and consumers with disabilities.
PTS collaborates with stakeholders in the market to increase the use of and knowledge about adaptations of market products and services and how they could assist people with disabilities. Through dialogue and consultation, PTS gets ideas and feedback on the agencyâ€™s work.

Description of the case

Domain

eGovernment

Topic

User-centric Services

Sector

Procurement

Start date - End date

January 1997 (Ongoing)

Target Users

Civil society

Target Users Description

People with disabilities and with a Design for all-perspective also people in general

Scope

National

Status

Operation

Language(s)

Swedish

Policy Context and Legal Framework

PTS objectives, tasks and general operational orientation are specified by, among other things, the laws on electronic communications, radio and telecom terminal equipment, qualified electronic signatures and the Postal Services Act together with associated ordinances. In addition, there are regulations in the Ordinance on certain obligations for public authorities on membership of the European Union (SFS 1994:2035), the Terms of Reference of the National Post and Telecom Agency Ordinance, Budget and Policy Instructions, together with other decisions made by the Government.
General legislation also applies to PTS as an administrative authority; moreover parts of the Public Authority Ordinance and other ordinances issued by the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) and Government apply to PTS. Finally, in addition to this there are the regulations, general advice and agreements issued by and concluded with other authorities.

Project Size and Implementation

Type of initiative

Other

Overall Implementation approach

Partnerships between administration and/or private sector and/or non-profit sector

Technology choice

Mainly (or only) open standards

Funding source

Public funding national

Project size

Implementation: Not applicable/not available

Implementation and Management Approach

By means of procurement processes, the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS), can meet the needs of people with disabilities in terms of electronic communications services and special postal and counter services. PTS is currently procuring eight services within electronic communications and the postal sector for people with disabilities. PTS also runs R&D-projects for the purpose of assessing usability and to shed light on new technical possibilities. Through dialogue and collaboration PTS establishes partnerships with commercial companies, public authorities, user organizations, research institutes and universities.

Technology solution

Since 2001, PTS has conducted a number of R&D-projects where broadband technology is utilised to create new services for people with disabilities. Broadband technology has become accessible for a steadily increasing proportion of the population in Sweden and the conclusion from the projects is that broadband communications play an important role in providing vital services to people with special needs for communication.

Impact, innovation and results

Impact

PTS has made a comparative evaluation of the services and R&D-projects procured by the authority. The result shows that the services and projects are of great benefit to the users. These services primarily contribute to the achievement of a better social environment through increased independence, increased access to information and the saving of time for users. The services provided, enables people with disabilities to interact with other people and public authorities. The services and R&D-projects makes examples of good practice of inclusive design and innovative ICT-solutions, that will increase the knowledge about the users needs and hopefully influence stakeholders in the market to see the full potential of these innovations and start similar initiatives.

Track record of sharing

PTS participates in the European working group COST219ter. In the beginning of 2007 the group published the book â€œTowards an inclusive futureâ€ â€“ impact and wider potential of information and communication technologies. The book reports on eleven best practice examples of next generation ICT networks and services running on them. Seven out of these eleven comes from Sweden. The trial operation â€œThe pocket interpreterâ€ was chosen as â€œthis weekÂ´s epractice.eu EditorÂ´s Choiceâ€.

Lessons learnt

Lesson 1) The importance of independent state funds, sustainable over the longer term in order to procure and fund services and R&D-projects.

Lesson 2) Also to collaborate with different partners from non-profit user organisations to well known telephone operators, for instance.

Lesson 3) Another experience from PTS work is the benefit of establishing a design for all process and user participation in R&D-projects in order to exchange information and ideas.

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