This communication encourages the Member States to step up their promotion of initiatives to give improved access to information and communication technologies, particularly for people with disabilities and the elderly.

Communication from the Commission, dated 13 September 2005, on "eAccessibility" [COM(2005) 425 final - Not published in the Official Journal].

"eAccessibility" refers to initiatives taken to ensure that all citizens have access to Information Society services. This is about removing the technical, legal and other barriers that some people encounter when using ICT * -related services. In particular, it concerns people with disabilities and certain elderly people.

It is also about encouraging such people to use ICT and the Internet, and making them aware of the prospects the latter can open up for them.

Many of these barriers could be removed. However, this requires firm cooperation, coordination and determination at European level.

European standards on e-Accessibility would contribute to the proper functioning of the European single market. This would promote the development of new markets, competitiveness and employment.

The Commission therefore intends to continue to provide financial support for the activities proposed by the European standardisation organisations in the framework of the European Standardisation Action Plan.

DFA * involves a more thorough consideration of accessibility requirements when a product or service is being designed. It is now well established, though not yet widely practised. It is therefore essential to continue raising awareness of and promoting DFA in Europe. To this end, the Commission has set up a network of centres of excellence (EDEAN), which has over one hundred members.

A 2001 Commission Communication on the accessibility of public websites (COM(2001) 529 final) was followed by Council and Parliament resolutions in 2002. As a result, Member States have undertaken to make their public websites accessible in accordance with international guidelines. An eAccessibility Experts Group is enabling the Commission and the Member States to monitor developments. In addition, a European Committee for Standardisation workshop is exploring adequate solutions for devising accessibility certification schemes.

To be able to further develop appropriate European eAccessibility policies it is essential to have European data comparable across Member States. The Commission will build upon the ongoing European monitoring activities, taking account of the revised Lisbon * approach.

Almost 200 European research and technological development (RTD) projects undertaken since the early 1990s have improved accessibility by increasing our knowledge of the problems involved and the solutions required.

The current proposal for the 7th framework programme addresses the need to pursue and expand RTD in eAccessibility.

In addition to promoting ongoing measures, the Commission intends to foster the use of three approaches not yet widely used in Europe.

The European Public Procurement Directives specifically mention the possibility of including accessibility requirements in conditions for tender. Some Member States already include accessibility requirements in their public procurement.

There is a clear need for consistency of accessibility requirements in public procurement in Europe. To this end, the Commission is preparing a mandate to the European standardisation organisations to develop European accessibility requirements for public procurement of products and services in the ICT domain. The Commission will also encourage debate on this subject with the Member States in the framework of the eAccessibility Expert Group.

A number of standards exist or are under development defining how products and services can be made accessible. However, at present there is no reliable means to assess the conformity of products with those standards.

Certification schemes for accessibility would provide guidance to customers and clients who want accessible products and services. They would also provide manufacturers and service providers with recognition for their efforts.

With this in mind, the Commission will study the possibilities for the development and introduction of certification schemes. The possibility of self-declaration or third-party certification will also be investigated and the different options will be compared for their effectiveness.

The eAccessibility potential of existing European legislation needs to be fully exploited. Several European directives have clauses which could be used to encourage eAccessibility (e.g. the Employment Equality Directive, the Directive on Radio and Telecommunication Terminals and the Public Procurement Directive).

This Communication on eAccessibility contributes to the implementation of the recently launched " i2010 - A European Information Society for growth and employment " initiative. It incorporates the main findings of a consultation held in 2005 which showed that the accessibility of online services and products should remain a political priority for the EU in relation to ICT.

Key terms used in the act

Information and communication technologies (ICT): the term ICT covers a wide range of services, applications, technologies, devices and software, i.e. tools like telephony and the Internet, distance learning, television, computers, and the networks and software needed to use these technologies. These technologies are revolutionising social, cultural and economic structures, resulting in new ways of behaving towards information, knowledge, working life, etc.
DFA: the DFA methodology denotes the design of products and services to be accessible to as broad a range of users as possible.
Interoperability: the ability of two or more systems (devices, databases, services or technology) to interact with one another in accordance with a prescribed method.
Lisbon Strategy: at the European Council in Lisbon (March 2000), the EU set itself a new strategic goal for the next decade: "to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion." The Lisbon Strategy was revised in March 2005 to refocus its priorities on growth and jobs.

Communication from the Commission, dated 25 September 2001, on "eEurope 2002: Accessibility of Public Web Sites and their Content" [COM(2001) 529 final - Not published in the Official Journal].

Resolution (FR ) (pdf) of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of 2-3 December 2002 on "eAccessibility for People with Disabilities".

See also