Web-Accessibility as a human right EESC Hearing on Accessibility as a Human Right Jun 4, 2013 Joost van der Vleuten European Commission / DG CONNECT
Digital Agenda for Europe on Web- Acessibility DAE Action 64: Ensure the accessibility of public sector websites -> EC proposal for a directive for the accessibility of public sector bodies' websites December 2012
Impact Assesment: problem and drivers Problem identified: o Non-functioning of the internal market for provision of webaccessibility; Drivers: o Fragmentation due to different national web accessibility (WA) specs o Uncertainty for the procurers / owners
The Directive on the accessibility of public sector bodies' websites (1) Five main elements: 1 - Harmonised requirements for web-accessibility 2 - Scope of implementation 3 - Presumption of conformity & use of standards 4 Additional measures 5 Monitoring and reporting
The Directive (2) 1. Harmonised requirements Harmonised accessibility requirements General description Requirements to be defined at technical level through the use of standards (= WCAG 2.0 Level AA) 2. Scope of implementation 12 types of public services essential to citizens egovernment benchmarking exercise Spill-over effect to other public sector websites to be expected Logical interest of MS to implement same WA requirements Revised Public Procurement Directive Obligation to use EN from Mandate 376 (accessibility requirements for ICT products and services) Expected effects of additional measures (Art. 6)
The Directive (3) 3. Presumption of conformity & use of standards Presumption of conformity to facilitate compliance with requirements 1. Harmonised standards (to be built upon M376) 2. European standards 3. International standards: Success Criteria and compliance requirements of WCAG 2.0 Level AA of ISO 40500/2012 Standards referencing scheme in line with: Union's standardisation policy (Regulation 1025/2012) Public Procurement Directive (order of preference of standards) European standard in preparation Mandate 376 EN in accessibility requirements for public procurement of ICT products and services, including web-content Web content Requirements in line with WCAG 2.0 Level AA
The Directive (4) 4. Additional measures - Encouragements Extend the scope to other public sector bodies websites Facilitate exchanges of best practices and consultations among stakeholders Making public findings and work of those platforms to raise awareness on benefits of Web-Accessibility 5. Monitoring and reporting Monitoring on a constant basis Yearly reporting to the European Commission Methodologies to be defined together with Member States
Opportunities created by Web- Accessibility for citizens and industry Improved access to essential 'basic public services' New jobs: development, maintenance monitoring WA. Higher realisation of WA market (currently at 10% of its potential). For web-developers: easier and cheaper to operate EU-wide. For SMEs: better growth conditions (easy to use technical criteria). For private sector: spillovers (cf. Employers Alliance, Lloyds Bank)
Process and issues State of affairs: under co-decision Issues discussed: scope / costs/ standards / delegated acts Need for: evidence building /sharing best practices / business models and cost calculations.
Conclusion The Directive Facilitates the proper working of the internal market for the provision of web-accessibility, by addressing fragmentation & uncertainty Enhances social digital inclusion by ensuring full accessibility of a set of public sector websites (which could generate positive spill-overs to other public sector websites) Facilitates fulfilment of national & European commitments by Member States, especially to UN -Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities