The task

Respect, considerateness, mutual acceptance and support are fundamental parts of all civilised societies. Laws and statutes can only, if at all, provide a framework. It is far more a universal social responsibility that can only be realised through the combined efforts of public institutions as well as private, endeavours in the business and service sector, unions and associations, political parties and non-affiliated organisations as well as citizens.

Equally important is that the support, the qualification and the motivation of the disabled to use modern information and communication possibilities is not a task that can be realised through single efforts. From the perspective of the constantly increasing complexity of the disabilities on the one hand and the continually faster advancing technical and technological development, on the other, a one-time or time-limited help, sporadic commitment and on-the-point problem-solving is not sufficient. More often, in view of the rapidly changing times, we are seeing the generation of new and more complex tasking when taking into consideration the needs of the handicapped.

For these reasons, the sustainable as well as long-term activity on the part of various protagonists of the industrial and private sectors is needed. The foundation "barrierefrei kommunizieren" (barrier-free communication) offers the framework to demonstrate the chances and risks involved for the disabled in association with the technical and technological changes and to concentrate and implement the respective action strategies as well as the commitment of the public, scientific and private sectors.