When we look around us, technology is everywhere. Telephone, television, email, the World Wide Web, mobiles, portable music players, large announcement screens in stations or airports: everywhere we go, everything we do is touched by technology.
This new world, where information and communication, anywhere, anytime, anyplace, has become so embedded in our daily lives, is described by the term Information Society.
In many respects, this has brought great benefits to most of us, it has made the world a safer, easier, more fulfilling place for the majority of citizens. But, at the same time, there is also the reality that all this technology creates new obstacles to some individuals. That could prevent those people from full participation in society. That in turn could easily result in educational, social and economic barriers to opportunity and fulfilment.
The RNID Technology team will work with users, manufacturers, service providers, governments and other stakeholders to address these problems. We will develop technology solutions to overcome existing barriers, and prevent new barriers from being raised.
We also campaign and lobby governments and other bodies like Ofcom, the UK's regulator for such domains as telecommunication and broadcasting. We give information and technical advise and we raise awareness about the specific needs of deaf and hard of hearing people as widely as possible.
The ultimate goal is simple: to create a society where everyone, regardless of abilities and preferences, can fully participate.
Guido Gybels, RNID Director of Technology.
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