Phones, computers, e-books, banking services and electronic communications must be accessible in the EU for people with disabilities from 28 June, when the European Accessibility Act came into force.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) makes it easier for persons with disabilities to fully participate in society, for example in employment by making IT equipment accessible and facilitating assistive technologies. It will also contribute to greater mobility, as the level of accessibility will be similar across the EU.
The Act sets common accessibility requirements across the EU for selected products and services, from adequate font size, to text-to-speech features in self-service payment terminals, e-readers and smartphones and more.
This will simplify rules for economic operators who until now have been confronted with divergent, and often contradictory accessibility requirements across borders. The Commission is supporting Member States through regular meetings with national contact points, including to address country-specific issues.
“Around 100 million people in the EU live with a disability. Accessibility is a precondition for participation in society,” said EC Commissioner Hadja Lahbib: “The European Accessibility Act is a measure of fairness and justice, but also of growth and innovation. It is a further step in enabling people with disabilities across the EU to enjoy their lives the same way as those without disabilities.”
