---
title: "ITU members, regulators and ICT accessibility"
subject: "Telecommunications"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_8/telecommunications:itu-accessibility-roles"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/telecommunications/itu-accessibility-roles
site: BCT Engineering
---

# ITU members, regulators and ICT accessibility

Telecommunications · Chapter 7: Telecommunication Regulation

- Asked in: 2079 Bhadra, 3 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/telecommunications/itu-accessibility-roles
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/telecommunications/chapter-7

## Question

Distinguish between the roles of ITU member states, regulators and service providers to eliminate ICT accessibility barriers in their countries.

## Short answer

Member states set legal and policy frameworks, mandating accessible ICT in public procurement and e-government. Regulators translate these into binding rules: licence obligations, relay services, accessible emergency numbers. Service providers deliver accessible products, such as text/video relay, captioning, accessible bills, and special tariff packages.

## Answer

ICT accessibility means that persons with disabilities and older persons can use telephones, mobile services, the internet and broadcasting on an equal basis with others. ITU guidance gives a separate role to each stakeholder.

| Stakeholder | Main role in removing accessibility barriers |
|---|---|
| **Member states (governments)** | Adopt the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; make national ICT accessibility policies and laws; require accessible ICT in public procurement and e-government; fund accessibility through universal service funds |
| **Regulators** | Turn policy into binding rules: licence obligations, accessibility standards, relay services, emergency access (112/100) that disabled users can use, accessible tariffs and billing; monitor compliance and consult disability groups |
| **Service providers (operators)** | Offer accessible handsets and services (text/video relay, captioning, SMS to emergency, large-print or Braille bills), accessible websites and customer care, special tariff packages, staff training |

In short, **member states** set the policy and legal framework, **regulators** make and enforce the rules, and **service providers** deliver accessible products and services to users.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which is mainly a role of member states (governments) in removing accessibility barriers?
   A. Offering Braille bills to customers
   B. Monitoring operators' licence compliance
   C. Making national ICT accessibility policies and laws and requiring accessible ICT in public procurement
   D. Training call-centre staff
   Answer: C. Governments set policy and the legal framework, including procurement and funding. (Key point: Role of member states)

2. What is the main role of regulators?
   A. Adopting the UN CRPD
   B. Turning policy into binding rules such as licence obligations and standards, and monitoring compliance
   C. Selling accessible handsets
   D. Writing the constitution
   Answer: B. Regulators make and enforce the rules. (Key point: Role of regulators)

3. Which action belongs to service providers?
   A. Offering text/video relay, captioning and accessible customer care
   B. Passing disability laws
   C. Issuing licence obligations
   D. Funding the universal service fund
   Answer: A. Operators deliver accessible products and services to users. (Key point: Role of service providers)

## Related in Telecommunications

- [Roles of NTA and ITU](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Anta-roles-itu-roles) — Telecommunications, chapter 7
- [ITU roles and numbering plans](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aitu-roles-numbering-plan) — Telecommunications, chapter 7
- [Purpose of ITU and NTA's regulatory role](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aitu-purpose-nta-regulation) — Telecommunications, chapter 7, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Roles of key project members](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Akey-project-member-roles) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4
- [Process vs thread and task states](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fembedded_system%3Aprocess-thread-and-task-states) — Embedded System, chapter 6
- [Access overridden members from derived class](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fobject_oriented_programming%3Aaccess-overridden-members) — Object Oriented Programming, chapter 6, asked 2×
- [Truss joint B: temperature and vertical members long](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Ftheory_of_structures_i%3Atruss-defl-b-temp-lackfit-2073) — Theory of Structures I, chapter 3, asked 2×