News/Press

Commissioner Reding recognized accessibility of information and communication technologies for disabled persons as a priority

Brussels, 17 October 2006 – Advancing the agenda on accessibility of Information and Communication Technologies for people with disabilities was at the core of yesterday’s meeting between Viviane Reding, European Commissioner in charge of Information Society, and Yannis Vardakastanis, EDF President.

In particular, Commissioner Reding and EDF President, Yannis Vardakastanis, discussed on the measures to be taken to follow up on the Riga Ministerial Declaration on e-Inclusion adopted in June 2006 by 34 European countries which have expressed their strong commitment to promoting an inclusive and barrier-free Information Society which fosters social and economic inclusion, including a special focus on people with disabilities.

EDF President raised the importance for concrete measures to be taken in the field of accessibility of digital television, accessibility of public websites, as well as accessibility requirements in the structural funds regulation and public procurement. “There is a need for pragmatic and concrete response to disabled citizens’ concerns”, said Vardakastanis. “The opportunity offered by the accessibility requirements in European public funding should be used as a lever for change”.

Commissioner Reding expressed her interests in disability issues and reiterated her commitment to make Information and Communication Technologies accessibility standards for public procurement mandatory by 2010. She stressed that “In the context of demographic changes in Europe, the perspectives on disability and accessibility issues will change as society will age. The European Commission is fully aware of these concerns and therefore included disability and ageing as a priority in the future research framework programme.”

For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication and Press Officer; Tel office: (+ 32 2) 282 46 04; E-mail: communication@edf-feph.org

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 50 million disabled citizens in Europe. EDF membership includesnational umbrella organisations of disabled peoplefrom all EU/EEA countries, as well asEuropean NGOs representing the different types of disabilities. The mission of the European Disability Forum is toensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.