The European Commission today issued a communication alerting Member States to the need for more coordinated action to make ICT accessible to all citizens, especially those with special needs or older.
Electronic Accessibility calls for more active action in this area that encourages private individuals to act in the same direction and explains that in two years’ time the progress made will be reviewed and could lead to the introduction of new legislation.
The same communication explains that before legislative action, the EC preferred to explore with all stakeholders in the process the possibility of moving forward with more concrete measures in this area. To achieve this objective, it is proposed that Member States «make accessibility requirements more consistent in the contracts they promote», «explore the possibility of introducing certification for accessible products and services» and «make better use of existing legislation in the accessibility area «.
Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for the Information Society recalls that «new electronic devices, services and technologies can be used to promote better quality of life among older generations», quotes a statement.
The EC’s request to Member States is the result of an analysis of a consultation carried out earlier this year that points to a lack of consistency in accessible products and services in Europe, which in the opinion of the executive body justifies the need to maintain accessibility at the center of policies European
Related News:
2005-09-15 – European Commission calls for the adoption of road safety technologies
2002-06-13 – EP debates Commission communication on accessibility of public web sites
