MeAC – Measuring Progress of eAccessibility in Europe

Legislation/regulations

Disability policy in Sweden is based on the principle of sectoral responsibility. The Swedish disability policy within the area of electronic communications is based on public procurement of products and services with the vision that all citizens in Sweden should have access to efficient, inexpensive and secure communication.

Ordinance 1997:401, Section 5(1), sets out the national regulatory agency’s (Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency (Post- och Telestyrelsen, PTS)) responsibility to meet disabled persons‘ needs.

In Chapter 5, section 1 of the Electronic Communications Act (2003:389), it is prescribed, among other things, that PTS may order telecommunications operators to provide universal services to people with disabilities and to satisfy the needs of such people for special services. The obligation does not involve any compensation from the State. If required due to the costs of provision, access to services should instead be ensured through public procurement.

In Chapter 5, section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act, it is further prescribed that any provider of a public telephone service shall take account of disabled persons’ need for special services. PTS is authorized to lay down regulations on how telecommunications operators should meet their obligations in respect of disabled persons.

The national regulatory agency’s strategy for services to people with disabilities involves consultation with market players on the possibilities for offering tailored services to people with special needs. At the same time, PTS goes a step further and procures eight services to disabled consumers, while running trials of several more. Where necessary, the handling of telecommunications services for disabled persons is put out to tender. The definition of operators refers not only to telecommunications operators, but also to call centres, interpretation centres, or other providers of the service.

So far, PTS has not imposed obligations on any provider to provide services without compensation, nor has PTS laid down regulations on how telecoms operators should cater for the special needs of disabled persons.

In line with article 22 of the Universal Service Directive, the National Post and Telecom Agency is in the process of producing regulations concerning the quality of electronic communications services. Important aspects for people with disabilities will be included in the regulation with the aim of enabling end-users to compare and choose operators on the basis of price as well as quality of the service.
Provision / pricing of special/accessible terminal equipment for disabled users is not covered in the legislation but other legislation obligates the County Councils to provide terminal equipment.

Other initiatives

Provision of the services particularly important to disabled users is ensured through PTS’ procurement of services following prior negotiation with the service providers in question. In this connection, a contract is made with the service provider, in which details regarding the agreed payment are set out.
PTS has procured the following services:

• Text telephone relay service: Among other things, guidelines stipulate that the service should be able to handle communication via fax, paging systems and GSM text and offer textmail (telephone answering function).
• Videophone relay service, providing call handling between speech and sign language. At present the service is provided on a temporary trial basis.
• TeleTal: TeleTal (“TeleSpeech”) is a service for persons with speech, voice and language difficulties. The service offers speech support for persons with inarticulate speech, support for writing memos for persons with reading and writing difficulties, as well as memory support for persons with cognitive difficulties.
• Cost free directory enquiries for disabled people.
• Health care information for users of text telephones.
• A network of databases including discussion groups for deaf-blind people is operated under the name “Fruktträdet” (The Fruit Tree). PTS gives financial support for operation of the service, which is provided by the Fruit Tree association.

As regards equipment, people with disabilities are provided with, for example, text phones, videophones and necessary user interfaces. This is done without cost to the user. Disabled people should not have any extra usage costs compared with people without disabilities, and both the video and text relay services are free of charge.

Emergency services are directly accessible via 112 for people with disabilities who use text. It is also possible to reach 112 via text messaging (SMS), or via the relay services. This is financed by the government, and other public entities.

In addition, PTS is carrying out pilot projects for development of new services and participates in both national and international standardization work in this field. An annual amount of approx. SEK 120 million has been available to PTS for activities in the disability area (related to postal and telecommunications activities).

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