Enhancing eID Access for Elderly Residents in Care Homes
11.7 Million
Population
2 Million
eID cards issued annually
100%
eID adoption by 2030
Belgium was among the first countries to deploy an electronic identity card (eID) at full scale, aiming to ensure equal access to digital services for all its citizens. However, the nationwide rollout of the eID programme posed challenges for those with limited mobility, particularly elderly residents in care homes, who struggled to reach registration centres.
Project
Solution: National ID
Region: Belgium
Year: 2024
The Challenge of Bringing eID Registration to the Elderly
The eID card is an essential document that enables Belgians to perform digital transactions, authenticate online services, and digitally sign documents. For the elderly in nursing homes, accessing this vital service was difficult, as many could not travel to registration centres. Without an eID, these individuals faced barriers to accessing public services and participating fully in the digital economy.
To address this challenge, the Belgian National Registry required a solution to bring the eID registration process directly to the elderly, ensuring no one was left behind in the country’s digital transformation efforts.
To address this, the National Registry required a mobile solution to capture data for eID registrations. The goal was to bring the process directly to locations like nursing homes to make registration more accessible. Laxton was tasked with providing a portable device to securely manage the entire process, from application to activation and delivery.
Innovative Solution for Identity Registration
Laxton provided the Chameleon 8—a portable, all-in-one device that brought the entire eID registration process to care homes. This multi-modal tablet made data capture fast and efficient, enabling nursing home residents to complete their eID registration without leaving their facilities.
The Chameleon 8 captured key biometric data, including:
Improve data accuracy by ensuring that all households, including those in rural areas, are reached.
The photographs feature captures high-resolution images for visual identification on ID cards.
The fingerprint scans use advanced fingerprint technology to provide reliable ID verification.
The signature capture feature allows residents to sign digitally, reducing paperwork and streamlining the process.
With the Chameleon 8, Laxton ensured that elderly residents in care homes could conveniently register for their eID, removing the need for stressful travel and ensuring their inclusion in digital services. The process was not only more accessible but also secure, with all data handled efficiently to comply with stringent security standards.
A nursing home resident’s photograph was captured using advanced autofocus and ISO control, ensuring accurate data collection.
The 4-4-2 Fingerprint Scanner captured four fingers simultaneously, followed by the thumbs, for quick and efficient data capture.
The digital pen enabled precise signature capture, seamlessly integrating with the Windows operating system to provide a smooth and hassle-free experience for the elderly.
Global Recognition for Secure eID Cards
The eID card’s embedded biometric data makes it highly resistant to counterfeiting and fraud. Fully compliant with ICAO standards, the card ensures global recognition and security. This protection was crucial for providing citizens with a secure way to identify themselves with their eID to facilitate seamless travel within the EU and perform safe online transactions.
Pilot Supports Hassle-Free ID Applications
The mobile ID registration solution was successfully tested in seven cities. Chameleon 8 provided the convenience of completing the process in one location without the hassle of multiple steps or trips. This system offered significant relief for nursing home residents as it eliminated the need to travel for their ID card applications.
Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden and the Alderman for Civil Affairs observe the registration at the WZC Rembertus Assisted Living facility in Mechelen
Transforming eID Accessibility and Inclusivity
Belgium’s ambitious move to fully roll out eID is a groundbreaking effort that positions the country as a leader in digital identification.
The partnership with Dioss Smart Solutions and Laxton’s biometric technology has revolutionised eID services by bringing registration processes directly to elderly residents in care homes. The Chameleon 8 significantly enhanced the inclusivity and convenience of the eID card issuance process, ensuring that elderly citizens can securely interact with government, businesses, and healthcare providers while maintaining the highest data protection standards.
