1. Portuguese Presidency of the European Union Ministerial Conference on Knowledge and Information Society Panel on Citizens with Special Needs --- ‘Legal and Policy Perspectives from Ireland’ Dr Gerard Quinn. Lisbon, 10,11 April 2000

2. * Ireland ranks 19th of 55 top countries in IS Index. * Ireland is a good test case for commitment to end social exclusion * Ireland influenced heavily by US Presentation. 1. Policy Developments. 2. Legal Developments. 3. Conclusions and Recommendations.

3. Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. Information Society Commission and Disability. -Functions. -Work Programme. -IT Access for All Report (2000) -Successful case studies. Inter-Departmental IS Implementation Group. -Web Design Guidelines (1999). Policy Sources

4. Options: Regulation, Deregulation, Non-Discrimination??? 1997 Equality Bills - Detour to Supreme Court. Employment Equality Act, 1998. Equal Status Bill, 1999. - ‘Reasonable Accommodation’ in Web site design. National Disability Authority (1999) and Codes of Practice on Internet Accessibility.. Sources of law

5. * Government ‘policy’ commitment to ‘universal design’ * Potential reach of Equality/non-discrimination legislation * Need to Underpin Irish Policy Developments with Europe-wide Directive -Regulatory Directive in Sector -Reinforced with Non-Discrimination Directive with respect to the provision of goods and services