1. The business case of accessibility: an opportunity not only for business but also for regions 7 October 2010, Committee of the Regions, Open Days, Brussels Workshop on Ageing and Persons with Disabilities Miguel Angel Cabra de Luna EESC Member

2. Index About the EESC About ONCE and its Foundation EESC work on accessibility policy The business case of accessibility The « regional case » of accessibility A best practice – Article 16 Structural Funds General Regulation – Innet16 Final considerations/conclusions

3. About the EESC EU institution already created by the Treaty of Rome (1957) Consultative role – approximatevely 150 opinions per year Facilitator and promoter of the civil dialogue A real impact on the EUs legislative process

4. About ONCE and its Foundation Focused on employment for people with disabilities and promoting accessibility (both in the physical and digital environment) Employs 125,000 people – more than 100,000 are disabled people Approx. 3bn turnover – all profits re-invested in the company Largely financed with a social lottery (« el cupon ») Active in many business sectors (ICT, hotels, media, automotive, waste, health, industrial laundry, etc.) Close collaboration with companies and public administrations (including regions and local authorities)

5. EESC work on EU accessibility policy Recent Opinions People with disabilities: employment and accessibility by stages for people with disabilities in the EU. Post-2010 Lisbon Strategy (SOC/363) (2010) eAccessibility (TEN/228) (2006) eEurope 2002: Accessibility of Public Web Sites and their Content (TEN/99) (2003) Equal opportunities for people with disabilities (SOC/249) (2007) Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: a European Action Plan (SOC/163) (2004) Harmonised indicators in the field of disability as an instrument for monitoring European policies (SOC/270) (2007) Recent Events Conference on Reasonable Adjustments (2010) Public hearing on the future EU Disability Action Plan (2010) Seminar on UN Convention national monitoring bodies (2009)

6. The business case of accessibility Access to markets Access to talent Retention of staff Retention of clients Reputation management Competitive edge Case study: ONCE – Microsoft partnership

7. The « regional case » of accessibility Business case vs. Regional case Untapped potential for regions – in the context of ageing but also of increased mobility The Europe of the Regions can create a virtuous circle Structural Funds and other EU programmes as a lever Accessible Cities Award Case studies

8. A best practice – Article 16 Structural Funds General regulation–Innet16 Article 16 establishes access and non discrimination for PwD as a compulsory requirement to implement EU structural funding EU Cohesion policy brings development of EU regions through accessible environments and inclusive employment initiatives Need to reinforce implementation of this article through observation FONCEs initiative Innet16 Innet16 is an observation scheme for Art. 16 through a European network Aims at exchanging best practice, evaluation, technical support for stakeholders, participation of civil society and ensuring efficient implementation

9. F inal considerations/conclusions Regional governments need to strengthen consultation and involvement of disability organisations Need of multistakeholder (public administrations, companies and disabled organisations) collaboration and partnerships Importance of getting right the post 2013 Structural Funds and EU programmes New EU public procurement legislation as an opportunity Maximise impact of Accessible Cities Awards

10. … Thanks a lot for your attention!!