Digital inclusion matters. The European Commission estimates around 80 million people in the EU don’t the internet due to some form of disability.
This statistic reflects the challenges faced by Europeans with disabilities. Many are excluded from or experience barriers in accessing websites or apps. Society has rapidly became reliant on digital communication and online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure represents those who potentially experience further exclusion from the online environment while the world adapted as best it could.
What is being done?
Fortunately, work is well underway across the EU to improve digital inclusion. The Web Accessibility Directive has – as of September 2020 – obliged Member States to ensure that the websites of public sector bodies are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. In addition, the Directive extended these obligations in June 2021 to ensure accessibility of the mobile apps of public sector bodies.
What is meant by the term accessible?
Development of websites, mobile apps and most of their content should keep accessibility in mind. The principles of accessibility are available in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. They state that content must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust (POUR). Find out more about the principles of accessibility in our blog post:
WCAG and the Principles of Accessibility
What happens next?
In the short term, the Directive requires that EU Member States monitor and report on the accessibility of their public body websites and apps. In Ireland, the National Disability Authority is the monitoring body. Additionally, websites and mobile apps must include an Accessibility Statement. This statement must include contact details to allow members of the public make a complaint regarding accessibility.
Looking ahead to 2025, the European Accessibility Act sets out requirements for accessible products and services in addition to websites and apps. Furthermore, it will extend accessibility obligations to products and services offered by the private sector such as computers, smartphones, and e-books, as well as online shopping and banking.
A common approach
The European Accessibility Act strives for commonality in approach to digital accessibility across the EU. It will improve digital inclusion and equality of access to the online environment for those with disabilities.
