1. European Policy challenges on eAccessibility Paris 31 January 2005 Per BLIXT (HoU) -- Unit eInclusion

2. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 2 Global socio-economic challenges Higher economic growth Employment Off-shoring and out-sourcing Ageing population Security concerns Increased global competition Open innovation Enlarged Europe

3. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 3 FP7 – ICT Context 1 The Union Priorities for 2007-2013: Achieving the Lisbon goals The Union Priorities for 2007-2013: Achieving the Lisbon goals  Sustainable development (competitiveness, cohesion and sustainable management and protection of natural resources)  European citizenship (freedom, security, access to public goods)  Europe as a global partner (role on the international scene) ICT has an essential role in achieving these priorities ICT has an essential role in achieving these priorities  ICT for sustainable growth / productivity  ICT for security  ICT for solidarity …

4. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 4 ICT – Meeting Societal Demands Cultural and societal diversity Modern public services and administrations Ageing population 24/7 economy Inclusion Flexible work patterns

5. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 5 eInclusion – MISSION & ACTIVITIES Use ICT to foster equal participation of Use ICT to foster equal participation of all citizens in the Information Society  Empower citizens to realize their full potential  Avoid new barriers & exclusions Research call 5 Open from May until mid September Research call 5 Open from May until mid September eEurope2005 Commission Communication on eAccessibility eEurope2005 Commission Communication on eAccessibility  (public web consultation started 10 January => will end 12/Febr/2005)  Web accessibility monitoring, Design-for-All curriculum Review the Communication Service Directives Demographic Shift ; Digital Divide

6. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 6 eInclusion - BENEFITS LISBON STRATEGY SOCIAL INCLUSION of groups at risk + Employment; productivity; job satisfaction ++ + Access to knowledge and eSkills Economic growth; wider markets e I n c l u s i o n

7. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 7 People with disabilities and older persons form a large group that represents about 20% of the population in Europe People with disabilities and older persons form a large group that represents about 20% of the population in Europe Solutions are not emerging in a timely manner Solutions are not emerging in a timely manner Technical requirements and standards are currently developed for national use in a few countries Technical requirements and standards are currently developed for national use in a few countries Rationale for a Communication EU intervention is justified to foster actions towards European-wide solutions.

8. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 8 Public Procurement Public Procurement Certification Certification Legislation Legislation Key Components Develop and promote the use of harmonised European eAccessibility requirements in public procurement. Develop a certification scheme to guide and support the public in their choice of accessible products and services.. Legislation demanding accessibility does already exist in some Member States (e.g.: Italy, Spain, UK) as well as in the USA. The full potential of legislation to enforce eAccessibility at a Europe-wide level needs to be explored.

9. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 9 TIMETABLE  Until 12 Feb 2005Open online consultation  March 2005 Internal interservice consultation  April 2005Text translation Communication to be published June 2005

10. eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 10 Thanks for your attention Per Blixt More information on More information on www.cordis.lu/ist/so/einclusion www.cordis.lu/ist/so/einclusionwww.cordis.lu/ist/so/einclusion