The European Commission will publish an updated list of actions for the European Disability Rights Strategy in May.
Accessibility is an enabler of rights, autonomy and equality, and, as such, an essential part of the Strategy.
That is why we are calling for the creation of a European Agency for Accessibility to be a flagship action of the Strategy.
What will be the European Agency for Accessibility?
The European Union has passed important legislation on accessibility, such as the European Accessibility Act and the Web Accessibility Directive. Not to mention the accessibility obligations in many other laws, such as transport, audiovisual services, electronic communication, energy performance of buildings, etc.
However, accessibility is not applied consistently across the EU, preventing the inclusion of over 100 million persons with disabilities.
The European Agency for Accessibility would build upon and go beyond the work of the AccessibleEU Centre to:
- Become the go-to organisation for expertise on accessibility in several domains (ICT, built environment, transport…).
- Coordinate and support the enforcement of laws on accessibility (by providing support to national authorities).
- Produce and provide specialised information on accessibility to policymakers, authorities and EU countries, including the adoption of technical standards.
- Facilitate the work of public officials through training and direct support, ensuring they have access to up-to-date guidance.
- Bring together public authorities, businesses, accessibility professionals and the disability community.
Below are three good reasons for the Commission to create this Agency.
1. Because it would help public authorities
The main role of the European Agency for Accessibility would be to help authorities monitor and enforce existing laws.
Public authorities would have extra support and resources, including:
- Specialised information and personalised advice regarding how accessibility should be implemented.
- Networking with authorities from other EU countries, sharing best practices and establishing cooperation.
- Providing research findings on innovative ways to ensure equal access to all citizens.
The European Agency for Accessibility will not increase the workload of national public authorities. It will, on the contrary, aid these authorities with resources and knowledge that make implementation and enforcement easier.
2. Because it would help businesses be more competitive
Companies that embrace inclusion outperform their competitors. In fact, a report by Accenture states that companies that embrace disability inclusion have 28 per cent higher revenue than their competitors.
The European Agency for Accessibility would help European business to be competitive by:
- Creating clear and easy-to-follow accessibility standards that are applicable across a large number of countries.
- Stimulating practical research to improve products and services.
- Provide high-quality training and networking opportunities to professionals.
The Agency will be key to ensuring that European businesses innovate and provide goods and services to underserved communities.
3. Because it would allow persons with disabilities to be involved
The Agency would have resources to connect authorities and businesses with the people they serve.
Persons with disabilities would:
- Give feedback and inform policy recommendations and research.
- Guide national authorities and businesses in effective ways to provide accessible solutions.
- Bring their lived experience and expertise to the development of technical specifications and standards that help implement accessibility policies.
A triple win
- A win for authorities: better support and solutions.
- A win for business: more innovation and new markets.
- A win for persons with disabilities: a more accessible society.