51994PC0303

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the continued development of the Handynet system within the framework of Decision 93/136/EEC establishing a third Community action programme to assist disabled people (Helios II 1993 to 1996) (94/C 222/11) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(94) 303 final - 94/0168(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 12 July 1994)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Comittee,

Whereas the principal objective of Council Decision 93/136/EEC establishing a third Community action programme to assist disabled people (Helios II 1993 to 1996 (1) is to promote equal opportunities for and the integration of disabled people; whereas one of the general objectives is to meet the information needs of disabled people by means of the Handynet computerized information and documentation system based on data collected at national level and updated and adapted at European level;

Whereas under the Helios II programme, the Commission, in accordance with Decision 93/136/EEC, has collected, adapted at European level, updated, exchanged and disseminated information on technical aids collected in the Member States;

Whereas the Handynet system's technical aids module promotes transparency with regard to the technical and economic aspects of the rehabilitation technologies market by suggesting the benefits for disabled people for their integration into daily life;

Whereas in accordance with Article 4 (1) (b) of Decision 93/136/EEC, the Council shall re-examine the Handynet system, before 31 December 1994, on the basis of a Commission report evaluating, inter alia, the first Handynet module on technical aids and, acting on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, shall decide on the conditions for continuing the Handynet system after that date;

Whereas the Commission's evaluation report demonstrates the value of continuing the Handynet computerized information and documentation system which, on account of its European scope, offers a broader range of information accessible in the nine official Community languages;

Having regard to the opinions of the Helios programme's advisory bodies and in particular the Advisory Committee, the European Disability Forum and the Liaison Group, and cooperation with Member States' National Handynet Collection and Coordination Centres regarding the structure of the system and its supply of textual and multimedia information;

Whereas the Handynet system should be continued under the conditions provided for in Decision 93/136/EEC;

Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of this Decision, powers other than those of Article 235,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The computerized information and documentation system Handynet shall be continued in the framework of the activities of the Helios II programme from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1996.

(1) OJ No L 56, 9. 3. 1993, p. 30.