Biometrics offers the opportunity of authenticating people by who they are (using their fingerprints, face images, voice patterns, etc) - rather than what they remember (e.g. passwords) or what they carry (cards). Recently, there has been a surge of interest with these technologies being proposed for passports and ID cards. Other systems are in use for PC security, payment and even for 'clocking in' at work.

Using a biometric in a specific service will help some disabled people, while others may be disadvantaged. Drawing upon the limited experience in the field, this conference brought together technology suppliers, designers of systems, operators, researchers, standards bodies and people with disabilities to propose realistic solutions.

The vision was for groups to go away from this meeting committed to co-developing innovative methodologies and solutions that will support disabled people in their use of these new systems - perhaps even identifying novel applications that will extend the usage of these technologies.

The programme covered an overview of biometric technologies, an assessment of the market opportunities (and in particular those in the financial sector), usability issues, testing, the role of standards, use by elderly, etc.

The conference was sponsored RNIB In association with the International Association for Biometrics, the European Biometrics Forum and the Department of Trade and Industry.