MMMMultiplicity

EU rules and policy in the field of e-accessibility

an introduction

Rianne ten VeenINET, 20 June 2002

© Rianne ten Veen, www.multiplicity.info ; INET2002

2

MMMMultiplicity

A bit of history

• ‘91-’94: TIDE (Technology Initiative for Disabled and Elderly People)

• July ‘96: Commission Communication on equality of opportunity for people with disabilities: a new European Community strategy

• Dec. ‘96: Council Resolution on equality of opportunity for people with disabilities

• Oct. ‘97: power to tackle discrimination based on disability included in EU Treaty (Amsterdam)

• Dec. ‘99: Launch of eEurope initiative• June ‘00: Adoption of eEurope 2002 Action Plan

© Rianne ten Veen, www.multiplicity.info ; INET2002

3

MMMMultiplicity

eEurope 2002 Action Plan

Priorities in the field of e-accessibility:

• Policies to avoid ‘info-exclusion’;• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

guidelines for public websites;• Publication of ‘Design for all’ standards;• Review relevant legislation and standards;• Establishment of national centres of

excellence in ‘Design for all’.

© Rianne ten Veen, www.multiplicity.info ; INET2002

4

MMMMultiplicity

Since eEurope 2002 adoption

• Sep ‘01: Commission Communication eEurope 2002: Accessibility of Public Web Sites and their content

• Oct ‘01: Council Resolution on e-inclusion• March ‘02: Council Recommendation on

Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines• April ‘02: European network of Centres of

Excellence/ National Contact Centres• June ‘02: eEurope 2005

© Rianne ten Veen, www.multiplicity.info ; INET2002

5

MMMMultiplicity

Some upcoming steps

• 2002: Adoption of Council Recommendation on e-accessibility

• 2003: European Year of People with Disabilities

• June 2003: implementation Telecoms package

• By end 2004: basic public services in Member States should be accessible for all (key target eEurope 2005)

© Rianne ten Veen, www.multiplicity.info ; INET2002

6

MMMMultiplicity

Information sources

• Commission eEurope programme: europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/action_plan/index_en.htm

• Commission eEurope e-accessibility: europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/action_plan/eaccess/index_en.htm

• ETSI (European Telecom Standards): www.etsi.org

• European Institute for Design and Disability (EIDD): www.design-for-all.org

• EurActiv.com: www.euractiv.com