European Policy challenges on eAccessibility

Paris 31 January 2005

Per BLIXT (HoU) -- Unit eInclusionPer BLIXT (HoU) -- Unit eInclusion

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 2

Global socio-economic challenges

Higher economic growthEmployment

Off-shoring and out-sourcingAgeing population

Security concerns

Increased global competition

Open innovation

Enlarged Europe

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 goalsThe Union Priorities for 2007-2013: Achieving the Lisbon goals

Sustainable development (competitiveness, cohesion and sustainable Sustainable development (competitiveness, cohesion and sustainable management and protection of natural resources)management and protection of natural resources)

European citizenship (freedom, security, access to public goods)European citizenship (freedom, security, access to public goods) Europe as a global partner (role on the international scene) Europe as a global partner (role on the international scene)

• ICT has an essential role in achieving these prioritiesICT has an essential role in achieving these priorities

ICT for sustainable growth / productivityICT for sustainable growth / productivity ICT for securityICT for security ICT for solidarity …ICT for solidarity …

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 4

ICT – Meeting Societal Demands

Cultural and societal diversityCultural and societal diversity

Modern public services and administrationsModern public services and administrations

Ageing population

Ageing population

24/7

eco

nom

y

24/7

eco

nom

yInclusion

Inclusion

Flex

ible

wor

k pa

ttern

s

Flex

ible

wor

k pa

ttern

s

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 5

eInclusion – MISSION & ACTIVITIES

Use ICT to foster equal participation ofUse ICT to foster equal participation ofallall citizens in the Information Society citizens in the Information Society

Empower citizens to realize their full potentialEmpower citizens to realize their full potential Avoid new barriers & exclusionsAvoid new barriers & exclusions

• Research call 5 Open from May until mid SeptemberResearch call 5 Open from May until mid September• eEurope2005eEurope2005 Commission Communication on eAccessibilityCommission 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

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 6

eInclusion - BENEFITS

LISBON STRATEGYLISBON 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 ne I n c l u s i o n

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 7

• People with disabilities and older persons form a large group People with disabilities and older persons form a large group that represents about 20% of the population in Europe that represents about 20% of the population in Europe

• Solutions are not emerging in a timely mannerSolutions are not emerging in a timely manner

• Technical requirements and standards are currently developed Technical requirements and standards are currently developed

for national use in a few countriesfor national use in a few countries

Rationale for a Communication

EU intervention is justified to foster actions towards European-wide solutions.

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 8

• Public ProcurementPublic Procurement

• CertificationCertification

• LegislationLegislation

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.

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 9

TIMETABLETIMETABLE

Until 12 Feb 2005Until 12 Feb 2005 Open online consultationOpen online consultation

March 2005March 2005 Internal interservice consultationInternal interservice consultation

April 2005April 2005 Text translationText translation

Communication to be published June 2005Communication to be published June 2005

eInclusion in FP7 – Strategy Workshop – Brussels 13-14/Jan/2005 - slide 10

Thanks for your attentionThanks for your attention

Per BlixtPer Blixt

More information onMore information on

www.cordis.lu/www.cordis.lu/istist//soso//einclusioneinclusion