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EU moves forward to improve access to websites for people with disabilities

Date

26 Oct 2016

Sections

InfoSociety

Citizens with disabilities, including for instance elderly people, will have broader access to most public-sector websites and mobile applications, according to an EU law voted today by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
 
S&D Group spokesperson for the issue, S&D Euro MP Josef Weidenholzer said:
 
"It took some time to reach a final agreement, but we made it. This directive is an important step towards an inclusive digital society. It will ensure that public-sector bodies’ websites and mobile applications are accessible to everyone.
 
"Today we are showing that Europe does good and positive things for its people. We live in a digital age. All citizens – including those who are blind, deaf or live with any disability – must be treated equally when it comes to access to information. Sometimes just one click on the corner of a computer screen or an audio command can make a huge difference."
 
S&D Group spokesperson for the internal market, Evelyne Gebhardt added:
 
"This directive is a first step. We hope that we will be able extend this proposal to public broadcasters and major websites in the private sector."