The NCBI Centre for Inclusive Technology [2] (CFIT) was established in 2006 to help work towards an information society that is fully inclusive. One in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the services delivered through them are accessible to all, including people with disabilities.

CFIT promotes the accessibility of ICTs such as websites and online services, provides advice and assistance to designers and supports the inclusion of people with disabilities in design and evaluation. To achieve this, CFIT offers a range of services in web accessibility auditing, user testing and expert consultancy.

NCBI founded CFIT in response to the massive growth in the importance of digital technologies in all areas of living. Technologies such as personal computers, the Internet, mobile phones, digital TV, bank cash machines (ATMs), electronic ticket machines, smartcard readers and consumer electronics now play a fundamental role in everyday life. At work, at home, in school and in the high street, it is now essential to be able to use the digital tools of communication and transaction.

Unfortunately, technologies are not always designed to take account of the diversity of abilities amongst the people who need to use them. Problems caused by inaccessible websites, small keypads, poor quality displays, touchscreens or the lack of capacity for speech output can all render essential technologies and services useless for people with vision impairments and other disabilities. The result is social and economic exclusion on an increasing scale.