1 4eme Forum européen de l'accessibilité numérique L’accessibilité numérique des services publics en Europe Paris, 12 Avril 2010 Le chemin vers une Europe e-accessible Miguel González-Sancho COMMISSION EUROPEENNE Direction Générale « Société de l’Information et Media » Unité H3 – TIC pour l’Inclusion

2 Presentation overview Context Status of e-accessibility in Europe Increased awareness and action; ageing UN Convention on rights of persons with disability Europe 2020; European Digital Agenda EC actions CE: policy and legal Disability Strategy 2020 European legislation; telecoms Standardisation; mandate 376 Web accessibility; case for EU coordination Actions CE: financing and analysis Research; R&D and Ambient Assisted Living programmes Deployment: ICT Policy Support Programme Analysis, monitoring and dissemination Conclusion

3 Status of e-accessibility in Europe Source: ‘Measuring e-Accessibility in Europe’ (December 2008)

4 Increased awareness and action; ageing Poor e-accessibility status (web, TV…) < 10% public sites fully accessible… But greater awareness, policy, laws Technology key for participation Multiplier of exclusion or inclusion Mainstream ICT devices & services is a must (a right?), requires accessibility Dedicated (assistive) techno for autonomy of PWD & elderly Implications for some groups Many people concerned: PWD, elderly Ageing challenges & ICT responses Link to a) disability; b) usability

5 5 UN Convention on rights of persons with disability International treaty on human rights Principles and obligations Share of competences EC/ Member States Many references to technology R&D, availability, info of new technologies [art. 4] Accessibility [article 9] Personal mobility [art 20] Expression and information [art 20] (Re)habilitation [art 26] Political and public participation [art 29] International cooperation [art 32]

6 Europe 2020; European Digital Agenda New European legislature Barroso II (President) N. Kroes (e-agenda) V. Reding (equality) Europe 2020 strategy Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth European Digital Agenda Legal framework (> PWD in telecoms, audiovisual) R&D and innovation on ICT Promote internet access: digital literacy, accessibility Member States accessible online services

7 Presentation overview Context Status of e-accessibility in Europe Increased awareness and action; ageing UN Convention on rights of persons with disability Europe 2020; European Digital Agenda EC actions CE: policy and legal Disability Strategy 2020 European legislation; telecoms Standardisation; mandate 376 Web accessibility; case for EU coordination Actions CE: financing and analysis Research; R&D and Ambient Assisted Living programmes Deployment: ICT Policy Support Programme Analysis, monitoring and dissemination Conclusion

8 Disability Strategy 2020 Follows up on bi-annual action plans Antidiscrimination Mainstreaming Accessibility Civil society New disability strategy  Actions at various levels:  EC  MS  EU institutions  Civil society Implement UN Convention Share EU/ MS competences Practical implications. Also considering Council of Europe AP Steps Consultation Impact assessment Ministerial conference (Zaragoza, May 2010)

9 European legislation; telecoms Growth & EmploymentSocial Cohesion & Quality of Life eCommunications Framework revision RTT&E medical devices Public procurement (mandate 376) Web accessibility guidance employment equality national social & health regulations Data protection Accessible information society anti-discrimination / Disability AP Equality Directives Structural Funds Art 16 AVMS Copyrights UN Convention on Disability State aids VAT Standards

10 Standardisation; mandate 376 Mandate 376 on public procurement of accessible ICT product and services Phase 1 (closed) - Inventory Test and conformity schemes of products and services ICT products and services: functional accessibility requirements and gaps), current standards/ specifications Phase 2 (to start) – Standards European standard (EN) specifying ICT accessibility requirements Technical reports for compliance and guidance on award criteria Guidance for acquisition process, conformity & suppliers assessment On-line Toolkit for public procurers Other relevant standards mandates Built environment Access to goods and services

11 Web accessibility; case for EU coordination Action needed to improve web accessibility Web is window to information society, right of all to participate But insufficient progress (cf. Riga targets!) Compliance of web policies in place must be improved Align national efforts Most countries have measure for web accessibility of public web sites Avoid fragmentation of approaches across Europe Share practices Political commitment UN Convention on People with Disabilities Consensus on some EU coordination: Riga, Council Conclusions March 2009 Europe 2020 > Digital agenda

12 Presentation overview Context Status of e-accessibility in Europe Increased awareness and action; ageing UN Convention on rights of persons with disability Europe 2020; European Digital Agenda EC actions CE: policy and legal Disability Strategy 2020 European legislation; telecoms Standardisation; mandate 376 Web accessibility; case for EU coordination Actions CE: financing and analysis Research; R&D and Ambient Assisted Living programmes Deployment: ICT Policy Support Programme Analysis, monitoring and dissemination Conclusion

13 Research; R&D and Ambient Assisted Living programmes Ongoing: FP AAL Smart navigation Robotic manipulators Hearing aids Wheelchairs Audio-description Software for dyslexia (Newest) brain-neural computer interfacing Embedded accessibility User simulation Smart homes, monitoring cognitive support Robotics for elderly Cooperation networks Planned AAL call 3 FP Ageing and Wellbeing ICT for smart and personalised inclusion FP8

14 Deployment: ICT Policy Support Programme From calls 1-3 Deployment pilots in accessible DTV, Emergency services Independent living of elderly Thematic network Support to accessibility policy (planned) Call 4 (now open) Deployment pilot on accessible public digital terminals, e.g. ATMs Thematic Network on assistive technologies

15 Analysis, monitoring and dissemination Study on monitoring e-accessibility in Europe Study on Economic Assessment for Improving eAccessibility Services and Products Study on internal market of assistive technologies

16 Conclusions ICT are today very important for social participation Accessibility is essential for ICT use, and thus for inclusion Still much scope for improvement But also greater awareness and action The European Commission remains committed to improve e- accessibility and contributes through a range of actions

17  Pour plus d’information Merci!