Welcome message

As chairman of ISdAC International Association, I welcome you to our website and hope you enjoy your stay.  

Recent developments in the field of technology and dropping computer prices have led to a greater accessibility of the Internet for the everyday user. You can say that nowadays almost every home computer has a standard Internet access included, and therefore opens the window to the world for its operator, be it for business or leisure purposes. It is no longer required to go out to the library to find some information on certain topics, or to go out to find social contacts. Within the limits of technology and the creativity of the user, all this can be achieved from the home, so that we can see a parallel society being formed: the Information Society. Within this Information Society all aspects of everyday life are present or achievable: working, leisure, social interaction, shopping, etc.  

ISdAC started in 1997 with the support of some enthusiasts, and our efforts were quickly acknowledged by the European Commission, when we received the European Telework Week Award as the "most innovative contribution to the advance of telework in Europe." But we must specially thank the support received from the Periphera project, which gave us the support and backup to establish a sound organisation. Since we began, our aim was to make sure that this new society would be accessible to all. A few disabled people all over Europe found each other online and decided to join efforts in order to inform others about the possibilities for integration of the Information Society. They were able to demonstrate to society that disability does not mean inability.They have proven that by means of modern technologies and Assistive Technology disabled people can participate in all aspects of the Information Society on an equal level. Now it is up to Europe and the world to allow them to do so, by supporting our Challenge. We hope that in time this will lead to a greater accessibility of mainstream society as well.

The time has come to broaden our scope and reach out to other disabled people -no matter what disability they have or where they are located- and to the world, and form a virtual community with a common goal: enhancing the accessibility for all. We need your views and experiences in order to turn this web site into the reference site on accessibility of the Information Society for all, with many links to other web sites dealing with this subject as well as specific user groups. By joining efforts a common goal is much easier to achieve.  

So I would like to urge you all to support our cause. We are convinced that with your help ISdAC will be able to play a leading role in determining the future form of the Information Society. We will try our best to make sure it will be accessible to all, but need all the support we can get in order to achieve our goals. After all, an accessible society is based on overall equality and respect, and therefore we will all benefit from it in the future. 

Tony Verelst, June 24th 1999