Technology firms are being taken to task over software and hardware that is too hard to use, in a new initiative called the eInclusion Charter. 

Spearheaded by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), Disabled Living Foundation, the Alliance for Digital Inclusion (ADI) and technology consultancy Scientific Generics, the charter wants devices such as PCs, phones and TVs made easier for disabled and older people to use.

The goal is to make sure that these groups are not left behind in the digital age.

'Currently people are still being excluded, and their needs are not being met,' claimed Guido Gybels, director of New Technologies at the RNID.

'Technology has in the past sometimes created barriers to full participation by not being designed to be fully inclusive, but, it also carries big promises to overcome obstacles previously considered absolute.

'New technology has great potential to overcome barriers in education, the workplace and social life for disabled and older people.'

The eInclusion charter proposes some major changes, and targets three key sectors: business and industry, government and the voluntary sector.

The Government is being asked to ensure that local and national government services are fully accessible and usable by disabled/older people, as well as fund access to specialised technology.

New designs for more usable devices are being called for from technology firms, while retailers are being urged to train staff to understand the IT needs of disabled and older people.

Members of ADI include BT, Microsoft and Intel, among others.