Policy paper – 13 September 2005 – EU & Europe-wide – eInclusion

Complete title:
Communication to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of Regions, regarding eAccessibility

COM(2005)425 final

Country/location:
EU & Europe-wide

Publication date:
13 September 2005

Document type:
Policy paper

Topic(s):
eInclusion

Author(s):
European Commission

Description (short summary):
The Commission’s Communication on “Electronic Accessibility”, or e-accessibility, incorporates the main findings of a consultation held in early 2005, which showed that there is a lack of consistency amongst accessible ICT products and services in Europe. Rather than proposing new legislation immediately, the Commission has decided first to fully explore non-legislative initiatives in cooperation with Member States, users, industry and standardisation bodies. Thus, while continuing to support ongoing e-accessibility measures in the areas of standardisation, ‘design for all’, Web accessibility, and research & technology development, the Commission proposes the use of three policy levers available to Member States: improving the consistency of accessibility requirements in public procurement contracts in the ICT domain; exploring the possible benefits of certification schemes for accessible products and services; making better use of the ‘e-accessibility potential’ of existing legislation. The Communication calls upon Member States to do more to promote EU e-accessibility initiatives in a concerted approach and to encourage uptake by industry. Progress will be reviewed two years from now, when additional measures may be proposed, including new legislation if necessary.

Copyright information:

Original URL:
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/accessibility/index_en.htm

Language(s) available:
DE/EN/FR

Number of pages (English version):
12

Document(s) for download:

Commission Communication on eAccessibility