Discamedia.es
Basic information
Project Title
Discamedia.es
Full project title
Discamedia.es: Empowering Millions of Voices - A Beacon of Inclusivity in the Media in Spain
Category
Prioritising the places and people that need it the most
Project Description
Discamedia.es is a disability news site that aims to make information available to everyone in Spain and ensure that access to information is inclusive and helpful to the more than four million people with disabilities in the country and their families. It aims to make accesibility and inclusion the new normal for media standards
Geographical Scope
National
Project Region
Spain
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Discamedia.es is a digital newspaper in Spain dedicated exclusively to information on disability. Created by the Servimedia News Agency, this portal is intended especially for the more than 4.3 million people with disabilities that live currently in the country and their families.
This journalistic initiative offers a website of news and information on disabilities and its objective is to fully guarantee to this this collective that its Constitutional right to information is respected and met, since many of these people feel excluded by the mainstream media or encounter accessibility barriers when it comes to information.
Discamedia.es aims to make information available to the 4.32 million people who live in Spain with some type of disability, according to the latest data from the Spanish Statistics Institute (INE). With families included, there are 11 million people interested in social news regarding disability, and up to the creation of this digital newspaper, there wasn’t any news outlet that offered this service.
This project promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion by creating a digital medium to report on disability. Discamedia seeks to give a voice to disability in Spanish society to promote inclusion and equality. The discamedia.es website is also fully accessible for all types of disabilities, including blind and deaf people. This is also the case for television broadcasts by having live subtitles and sign language. Discamedia.es’ social media profiles are as well fully accessible by ensuring that all of the content meets the different necessities to make it available to anyone.
Discamedia.es also complies with the international recommendations of the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and applies the indications of Spanish experts like Cermi.
This journalistic initiative offers a website of news and information on disabilities and its objective is to fully guarantee to this this collective that its Constitutional right to information is respected and met, since many of these people feel excluded by the mainstream media or encounter accessibility barriers when it comes to information.
Discamedia.es aims to make information available to the 4.32 million people who live in Spain with some type of disability, according to the latest data from the Spanish Statistics Institute (INE). With families included, there are 11 million people interested in social news regarding disability, and up to the creation of this digital newspaper, there wasn’t any news outlet that offered this service.
This project promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion by creating a digital medium to report on disability. Discamedia seeks to give a voice to disability in Spanish society to promote inclusion and equality. The discamedia.es website is also fully accessible for all types of disabilities, including blind and deaf people. This is also the case for television broadcasts by having live subtitles and sign language. Discamedia.es’ social media profiles are as well fully accessible by ensuring that all of the content meets the different necessities to make it available to anyone.
Discamedia.es also complies with the international recommendations of the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and applies the indications of Spanish experts like Cermi.
Key objectives for sustainability
It can be said as well that Discamedia.es strongly contributes to achieving sustainability by its strong commitment to people with disabilities and the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 agenda. Of the 17 goals, 8 mention and have specific objectives pertaining the disabled population. SDG 4 in relation to inclusive and quality education; SDG 8 on economic growth, full employment and decent work; SDG 10 on reducing inequalities; SDG 11 on inclusive and sustainable cities and communities; and, finally, SDG 17 on implementation of the Agenda and the necessary alliances. It also contributes to the realization of SDG 1 on reducing poverty and SDG 5 on achieving gender equality and empowering women. Discamedia contributes to its sustainability by having them as a motivation and being a loudspeaker that helps spread awareness of its relevance and importance for the general population.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Discamedia.es is a prime contender for the New European Bauhaus Europe Prizes, specifically in the category of "Prioritizing the places and people that need it the most." This category aligns perfectly with the fundamental principles that sustain Discamedia.es' mission and the exceptional impact it has had up to this point on the lives of thousands of individuals with disabilities in Spain. The platform's emphasis on inclusivity, its commitment to bridging the digital divide, and its exceptional results make it an outstanding nominee in this category.
This can be justified and explained by the following aspects that drive Discamedia.es’ existence and mission:
Discamedia.es has at its core, a dedication to prioritizing the needs of an often-overlooked demographic – people with disabilities. It recognizes that accessibility to information is a basic right and a cornerstone of social inclusion. By providing news and content in accessible formats and catered to this specific population, Discamedia.es has made significant strides in ensuring that everyone in Spain, regardless of their disabilities, can access and benefit from the platform. It has effectively placed the needs of these individuals at the forefront, addressing a longstanding disparity in the access to information that directly affects this collective.
The Bauhaus movement was defined by its revolutionary approach to design and architecture, and Discamedia.es has taken a similar path by reshaping the digital media landscape. Its user-centric design, tailored to the needs of those with disabilities, stands as a testament to Bauhaus principles. Through a thoughtfully designed platform, Discamedia.es prioritizes creating a digital space, specifically catered for people with disabilities, being by design open, functional, and accessible, aiming to leave no one behind.
This can be justified and explained by the following aspects that drive Discamedia.es’ existence and mission:
Discamedia.es has at its core, a dedication to prioritizing the needs of an often-overlooked demographic – people with disabilities. It recognizes that accessibility to information is a basic right and a cornerstone of social inclusion. By providing news and content in accessible formats and catered to this specific population, Discamedia.es has made significant strides in ensuring that everyone in Spain, regardless of their disabilities, can access and benefit from the platform. It has effectively placed the needs of these individuals at the forefront, addressing a longstanding disparity in the access to information that directly affects this collective.
The Bauhaus movement was defined by its revolutionary approach to design and architecture, and Discamedia.es has taken a similar path by reshaping the digital media landscape. Its user-centric design, tailored to the needs of those with disabilities, stands as a testament to Bauhaus principles. Through a thoughtfully designed platform, Discamedia.es prioritizes creating a digital space, specifically catered for people with disabilities, being by design open, functional, and accessible, aiming to leave no one behind.
Key objectives for inclusion
Discamedia.es has demonstrated a deep commitment to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities. This dedication has been exemplified through a range of features and technologies integrated into the platform. Here's a detailed explanation of how Discamedia.es ensures and enhances accessibility:
• Alternative Text and Descriptions
• Captioning and Subtitling:
• Screen Reader Compatibility
• Keyboard Navigation
• The implementation of an AI tool on its website: An AI powered tool called Natural Readers is used on the website to enable that its content can be read out loud for the visually impaired, by just the click of a button.
• High Contrast Mode and Color Customization
• Adjustable Text Size and Font Choices
Voice Commands and Speech-to-Text: For users with limited mobility, Discamedia.es integrates voice command capabilities. Users can navigate the site and interact with its content using speech commands. Additionally, the platform offers speech-to-text functionality for content creation.
• Continuous User Testing and Feedback Mechanisms: Discamedia.es actively and constantly seeks feedback from users with disabilities and engages in continuous testing.
• Inclusive Content Creation: The media outlet encourages its journalists to create content with accessibility in mind.
• Collaboration with Disability Advocates: Discamedia.es collaborates with disability organizations and advocates to stay informed about best practices and emerging technologies in the field of digital accessibility.
, Discamedia.es is at the forefront of digital accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities. Its comprehensive approach encompasses multiple features and technologies that cater to a wide range of disabilities, ensuring that the platform is a welcoming and inclusive space for all.
• Alternative Text and Descriptions
• Captioning and Subtitling:
• Screen Reader Compatibility
• Keyboard Navigation
• The implementation of an AI tool on its website: An AI powered tool called Natural Readers is used on the website to enable that its content can be read out loud for the visually impaired, by just the click of a button.
• High Contrast Mode and Color Customization
• Adjustable Text Size and Font Choices
Voice Commands and Speech-to-Text: For users with limited mobility, Discamedia.es integrates voice command capabilities. Users can navigate the site and interact with its content using speech commands. Additionally, the platform offers speech-to-text functionality for content creation.
• Continuous User Testing and Feedback Mechanisms: Discamedia.es actively and constantly seeks feedback from users with disabilities and engages in continuous testing.
• Inclusive Content Creation: The media outlet encourages its journalists to create content with accessibility in mind.
• Collaboration with Disability Advocates: Discamedia.es collaborates with disability organizations and advocates to stay informed about best practices and emerging technologies in the field of digital accessibility.
, Discamedia.es is at the forefront of digital accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities. Its comprehensive approach encompasses multiple features and technologies that cater to a wide range of disabilities, ensuring that the platform is a welcoming and inclusive space for all.
Results in relation to category
The impact and outreach of Discamedia.es have been significant and has contributed to starting a transformation on the public’s perception on disability, as the platform has consistently reached and thousands of individuals with disabilities in Spain and their families and relatives. This section explores the measurable impact of Discamedia.es and its reach in influencing positive change.
Discamedia.es has effectively leveraged a multitude of data sources to amplify its reach and influence. The platform's commitment to inclusivity is evident through the diverse audience it attracts, its extensive geographic reach within the country, and the multiple channels through which users discover its content. This data-driven approach provides a comprehensive picture of the platform's impact on the community it serves.
Discamedia.es has effectively leveraged a multitude of data sources to amplify its reach and influence. The platform's commitment to inclusivity is evident through the diverse audience it attracts, its extensive geographic reach within the country, and the multiple channels through which users discover its content. This data-driven approach provides a comprehensive picture of the platform's impact on the community it serves.
How Citizens benefit
The progress made by Discamedia.es is not a vision for the future; it is a reality that has yielded clear and positive results. It has successfully turned its aspirations into action, producing meaningful outcomes that resonate with the Bauhaus Europe objectives.
With a steadily growing user base, and an average of 4,000 monthly visits to Discamedia.es’ home page and pieces with more than 10,000 since its launch a little over nine months ago, it can be said that Discamedia.es has accumulated meaningful positive results.
Testimonials and feedback from its community underscore the platform's efficacy in improving the quality of life for its users. To underline the relevance of this aspect in Discamedia.es’ objectives, it must be said, that according to data collected from a survey conducted at the beginning of October 2023, to improve Discamedia’s services and get to know its user base, an 83% of the audience stated that the platforms existence had improved their lives in some way. This number, coupled with the fact that the same survey showed that more than half of the people that responded (a 58%) has some type of disability, goes to show that in its short life span, Discamedia.es is already making a difference in the lives of many.
These are some of the reasons why Discamedia.es serves as an exemplar of what can be achieved when clear objectives are coupled with innovative design and commitment to inclusivity.
Discamedia.es has fostered collaborations with various organizations, disability advocates, and experts in the field of digital accessibility. These partnerships have resulted in the creation of content that goes beyond mere information; it empowers and enriches the lives of its users. Discamedia.es has demonstrated how successful projects can grow from constructive partnerships.
With a steadily growing user base, and an average of 4,000 monthly visits to Discamedia.es’ home page and pieces with more than 10,000 since its launch a little over nine months ago, it can be said that Discamedia.es has accumulated meaningful positive results.
Testimonials and feedback from its community underscore the platform's efficacy in improving the quality of life for its users. To underline the relevance of this aspect in Discamedia.es’ objectives, it must be said, that according to data collected from a survey conducted at the beginning of October 2023, to improve Discamedia’s services and get to know its user base, an 83% of the audience stated that the platforms existence had improved their lives in some way. This number, coupled with the fact that the same survey showed that more than half of the people that responded (a 58%) has some type of disability, goes to show that in its short life span, Discamedia.es is already making a difference in the lives of many.
These are some of the reasons why Discamedia.es serves as an exemplar of what can be achieved when clear objectives are coupled with innovative design and commitment to inclusivity.
Discamedia.es has fostered collaborations with various organizations, disability advocates, and experts in the field of digital accessibility. These partnerships have resulted in the creation of content that goes beyond mere information; it empowers and enriches the lives of its users. Discamedia.es has demonstrated how successful projects can grow from constructive partnerships.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
At the heart of Discamedia.es lies a commitment to creating, curating, and disseminating information about disabilities in Spain, that is not only accessible but also rich in diversity and that represents the multiple realities of the disability collective. All of these actions are guided by a profound commitment to addressing the unique needs of individuals with disabilities specifically in Spain, but also across the globe, and promoting inclusivity in society. This is an innovative approach because this collective has been historically forgotten and Discamedia.es tries to give a response to this reality and give a loudspeaker to these people
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Firstly, for the creation of the website, the collaboration of programmers and computer engeniers was needed, aswell as the expertise of accesibility advisors and experts. Once the website was up and running, the work of SEO experts and positioning experts was requiered for the creation of a growth strategy. Once everything was up and running, the collaboration of a team of journalists and information experts was needed to feed the website and ensure that the site was updated and with information and news everyday.
Methodology used
Firstly, the idea was crafted and thought of by a team of journalist wanting to improve the access to information for the people with disabilities, once the idea was designed, a team of engeniers and accesibility experts came into play to help build the website responding to accesibility standards. Lastly a team of journalits and social organizations contributes daily to the creation of news and information on disabilities in order to keep the news site updated and current.
How stakeholders are engaged
As main participants in the project, Maldita.es, Odismet’s Observatory and the ONCE Foundation are key pieces in Discamedia.es’ structure and fundamental parts in the daily production of valuable and trustworthy information for the disability collective. But, as it was previously said, Discamedia.es aims to be a loudspeaker of the reality and needs of people with disabilities in Spain and worldwide.
With this purpose in mind, Discamedia.es also partners with different NGO’s and organizations devoted to disability in the country. Some of Discamedia’s collaborators are: Impulsa Igualdad (Promoting Equality), Salud Mental España (Mental Health Spain), Cermi (the Spanish Committee of Representative of People with Disabilities), Aspace (the Spanish Confederation of People with Cerebral Palsy), Fiapas (the Spanish Confederation of Families of Deaf People), Confederación Autismo España (the Autism Confederation in Spain), CNSE (the National Confederation for Deaf People), Cocemfe (the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities), Down España (Down Syndrome Spain), Fedace (Spanish Federation of Cerebral Damage) and Feder (Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases).
Discamedia.es is not satisfied with just what it has accomplished up to this point; it harbors ambitious goals and aspirations for the future. This unwavering commitment to growth and progress aligns with Strand A of the Bauhaus Europe Prizes. Discamedia.es continues to evolve, ensuring that the positive results already achieved serve as the foundation for even greater outcomes.
In conclusion, Discamedia.es stands as a powerful embodiment of Bauhaus principles, using innovative design and clear objectives to bridge divides and serve the needs of those who need it most, in this case the disabled community and its families. With existing completed projects and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, it is an exemplary candidate for the New European Bauhaus Europe Prizes.
With this purpose in mind, Discamedia.es also partners with different NGO’s and organizations devoted to disability in the country. Some of Discamedia’s collaborators are: Impulsa Igualdad (Promoting Equality), Salud Mental España (Mental Health Spain), Cermi (the Spanish Committee of Representative of People with Disabilities), Aspace (the Spanish Confederation of People with Cerebral Palsy), Fiapas (the Spanish Confederation of Families of Deaf People), Confederación Autismo España (the Autism Confederation in Spain), CNSE (the National Confederation for Deaf People), Cocemfe (the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities), Down España (Down Syndrome Spain), Fedace (Spanish Federation of Cerebral Damage) and Feder (Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases).
Discamedia.es is not satisfied with just what it has accomplished up to this point; it harbors ambitious goals and aspirations for the future. This unwavering commitment to growth and progress aligns with Strand A of the Bauhaus Europe Prizes. Discamedia.es continues to evolve, ensuring that the positive results already achieved serve as the foundation for even greater outcomes.
In conclusion, Discamedia.es stands as a powerful embodiment of Bauhaus principles, using innovative design and clear objectives to bridge divides and serve the needs of those who need it most, in this case the disabled community and its families. With existing completed projects and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, it is an exemplary candidate for the New European Bauhaus Europe Prizes.
Global challenges
The global challenges discamedia.es tries to face are two: the lack of information on disabilities existing worldwide and the difficulties experienced by people with disabilities to access information that is important to them in the mainstream media. Discamedia.es tries to solve both problems in Spain by creating a website specially catered for them and having their accesibility, interests and demands in mind. This tries to benefit directly the more than eleven million people affected by this reality in Spain
Learning transferred to other parties
From Discamedia.es point of view, if the correct approach is taken, and the goal is to make information accesible to all, the entire project can be replicated. The only big requisites in order to do so, is to have a good team of content creators and journalists with a clear compromise with people with disabilities and improving their lives. Also knowledge on accesibility is needed and clear objectives and comunication with the social entities of the country.
Keywords
Information
Disability
Inclusion
Equality
Social change
