Brussels - The European Accessibility Act Demonstration Kicks off at 12

Alejandro Moledo‏ heads for the demo

The European Accessibility Act aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services by removing barriers created by divergent legislation. This will facilitate the work of companies and will bring benefits for disabled and older people in the EU.

Demonstrators are concerned that the legislation is being watered down. The demonstration today is outside the European parliament.

A good crowd is expected. Please go along and show your support.

Image: Adriana shows her support

 Businesses will benefit from:

• common rules on accessibility in the EU leading to costs reduction
• easier cross-border trading  
• more market opportunities for their accessible products and services

Disabled and older people will benefit from:

• more accessible products and services in the market 
• accessible products and services at more competitive prices
• fewer barriers when accessing education and the open labour market
• more jobs available where accessibility expertise is needed

The European Accessibility Act covers the products and services listed below that have been identified as having the highest risk of being concerned with diverging accessibility requirements across the EU countries.

Moreover, these were seen as the most relevant after consulting stakeholders and experts on accessibility and taking into account the obligations deriving from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

• computers and operating systems
• ATMs, ticketing and check-in machines
• smartphones
• TV equipment related to digital television services
• telephony services and related equipment
• audiovisual media services such as television broadcast and related consumer equipment
• services related to air, bus, rail and waterborne passenger transport
• banking services
• e-books
• e-commerce

Image: Support is widespread across the EU

Please read more about the Act below: