The European Union of the Blind, which brings together associations from 41 European countries, is concerned about the impact that artificial intelligence could have on the lives of people with visual impairments, the president of ACAPO told Lusa this Monday.
This issue, among others, will be one of the priorities that will be included in the Strategic Action Plan of the European Blind Union for the next four years, which will be discussed and voted on at its 12th General Assembly, which will take place from Monday to Wednesday fair in Lisbon.
The European Union of the Blind is an organization that brings together associations representing people with visual impairments from 41 countries and which holds a General Assembly every four years to determine the strategic plan for the next four years, said the president of the Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Portugal (ACAPO). , meeting organizer.
According to Rodrigo Santos, the plan will determine the most pressing priorities and interests of people with visual impairments not only in the European Union, but in all European countries.
“This is the ideal place to assess the challenges faced by people with visual impairments across Europe, while at the same time getting an idea of what the coming years will be like and what the main topics of debate will be. and a discussion relevant to people with visual impairments across Europe,” he stressed.
Rodrigo Santos told Lusa that “the plan will focus on the aspects of accessibility as a fundamental right, which includes access to physical spaces, transport, information and communication technologies, which continue to be “one of the biggest obstacles to the implementation of the right.” All rights.”
“Accessibility is a condition for the realization of many rights. No one can express an opinion if he does not have access to information, no one can say that he is completely free if he cannot decide to move where he wants, how he wants and when he wants. “, he defended himself.
He said there was also “great concern” about the role that artificial intelligence could play and the impact it “has on people with visual impairments, both in terms of employment and participation in society.” and Naturally, in terms of the availability of all products and services.”
He also said that the funding and sustainability of organizations that work on issues for people with visual impairments is a “major issue” and that “often, and in many countries, they are treated almost like the poor relation of that representation.”
“This means that we increasingly reaffirm the path to full citizenship and always and increasingly repeat the phrase that guides our representation: nothing about us, without us.”
“In other words, everything that concerns people with visual impairments and that, in fact, not only what directly concerns people with visual impairments, but also everything that affects them as members of society must be decided together with us, including taking into account our interests,” he emphasized.
Running alongside the event until Wednesday is an exhibition of equipment and services aimed at addressing gaps, particularly in accessibility and others, that affect people with visual impairments.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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