"Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be powerful tools for bringing people together, improving their health and welfare, and making their jobs and social lives richer and more rewarding," said Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. "But over 90 million EU citizens either cannot reap these benefits in full, or are effectively cut off from them because of age or disabilities."
"Making ICT products and services more accessible is thus a social, ethical and political imperative. At the same time, it makes sense economically," she added. "About 48% of people over 50 years old in Europe today say ICTs do not fully meet their needs, but many of them also say that they would buy new mobile phones, computer and internet services if they could use them."
The public consultation focuses on three key areas in which the European Union could promote what it calls eAccessibility: public procurement, certification, and the use of legislation.
The consultation document argues that EU Member State public authorities should develop common requirements to facilitate the purchasing of accessible goods and services. This would in turn create larger markets for "design-for-all"-products, says the Commission.
The consultation document also proposes to assess whether a certification mechanism should provide a quality label for accessible products and services.
Regarding legislative measures, the document notes that several EU Member States already have e-accessibility-related laws, and that there are indications that harmonising the relevant technical requirements across the EU could help to make these laws a more powerful driver for change, while at the same time promoting interoperability and preventing market fragmentation.
There is no further detail at this stage on the nature of any legislation being considered by the Commission. The Consultation itself offers few clues: it asks respondents whether new instruments to promote eAccessibility are needed and, if so, what they would suggest; and it asks respondents to gauge the importance of accessibility requirements and standards. Viviane Reding was unavailable for further comment at the time of writing.
The consultation document finally considers a number of support measures, such as the development of eSkills, the further deployment of ICT Research for promoting eAccessibility, as well as monitoring regarding web accessibility and the development of digital TV.
The consultation can be completed on-line until 12th February 2005. Answers are given anonymously. The results will then feed into a Commission Communication on eAccessibility to be adopted before June 2005.