There are over 500 million people with disabilities in the world and the proportion of the population who are older is growing rapidly in most countries. Social exclusion and many other problems often result from their situation. It is recognised that developments in ICT and HCI can often help with problems, for example to maximise choice and integration. However, there is also a danger that such developments can lead to the further exclusion of these user groups if they are not designed from the beginning with universal access as an aim.

Working Group 13.3 aims to make designers of information and communications technologies and complementary tools aware of the needs of these groups in order to encourage the development of more appropriate tools for accessibility and usability. As a result, systems will become more universally accessible, and the market for them will increase.

Specifically the scope of WG13.3 will include the following activities: