ABSTRACT
In the UK, as in other countries, the last few decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in the nature and variety of information and communication technology (ICT) and in the role it plays in the society. Studies suggest that some 40% of non-working adults under the age of 65 in the UK are disabled and that disabled people make up more than a third of those who have no formal qualifications whatever. Technology is often credited with having the potential to break down the barriers which have traditionally disabled and marginalized people with impairments. The market is not always keen to respond to the challenge of designing assistive technology or ensuring that equipment used for delivering key services (such as television) will be accessible to disabled people. Despite some extremely positive developments, UK law and policy needs to be further developed and strengthened.
