Use of ICT for accessibility in healthcare

Providing online information, appointment, registration and payment facility using debit cards, credit cards or payment apps

Website Accessibility

For website accessibility, follow the “Guidelines for Indian Govt. Websites (version 2.0)” prepared by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics & Information technology (MeitY), Govt. of India which are available as an integral part of central secretariat manual of Office procedures.

Compliance to these guidelines will make the websites accessible to persons with various disabilities like low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities and combinations of these which may otherwise hinder access to the web. Compliance with these guidelines ensures that any disabled person using an assistive technology can easily navigate the website. Compliance matrix lists all the accessibility guidelines in a separate section along with the reference numbers.

An accessibility statement should be made conveying the contact information to get the alternate accessible format, support of aid. Provide the publication in HTML format and if possible in PDF format also. Provide translated version in other commonly used languages.

BIS standard for Accessibility for ICT Products and services

Considering that digital means of accessing information, registration and payment etc. have become prevalent, these methods must be accessible by compliance of relevant websites, apps, digital documents and software with the BIS standard IS 17802 on “Accessibility for ICT products and services-Requirements”. This standard updates the accessibility requirements for Web and mobile apps, referred to in GIGW 2.0. Besides these, the standard covers editable and PDF documents, online applications, software for laptop, desktop, smart phone and other devices, broadcasting, two way communications, support documentation and emergency and relay services (including help desk). Those who have implemented the latter, can migrate to the standard (in specified timeframe). Those who are implementing afresh websites, mobile apps and online systems, which contain the registration module, payment module etc. can ensure that they are compliant to above specified IS 17802 right from the beginning in respect of all their ICT products and services. Of particular relevance for early implementation are: all apps used by citizens/ patients/ care-givers for registration and payment, for consent forms, e-prescription, e-pharmacy, and telemedicine (e-Sanjeevani) etc. As such, all the components of healthcare – preventive, curative and palliative, where ICT interventions are to be used or can be used productively, will benefit by following this standard both in the purchase and use of ICT as it addresses all the disabilities. Another point to note is that the above standard provides support to all Indian languages. As such, local language provision should also be there in all ICT, besides English and Hindi.

All the required apps like Co-Win, Arogya Setu etc. should to be made accessible without any delay.

 Source : Ministry of Health & Family Welfare