ESC backs Commission communication on disability access for websites
The European Economic and social committee (ESC) has welcomed the contents of the Commission's communication on the accessibility of public websites and their content, and hopes to see some of the measures extended to private websites. The committee agreed with the communication's statement that accessibility to websites is a key means of preventing exclusion in the information society. It is a means of reducing discrimination and fits in with articles 21 and 26 of the Charter of fundamental human rights of the European Union. The measure is needed, the committee says, not just in public websites, but should also be encouraged in private ones. It is important not just in providing information, but also in helping disabled people apply for jobs. It should not be limited to just EU Member States, but should be extended to candidate countries. It also encourages the EU to make use of the Framework programmes to enhance the usability of public websites. 'Active use of research programmes of the European Union should be made to increase the accessibility of websites for disabled and elderly people,' runs the opinion, making specific reference to the e-inclusion element of the forthcoming Sixth Framework programme. The ESC also took the opportunity to rebut some misunderstandings relating to the time and cost involved in making public websites compatible with the needs of disabled and elderly people. 'In many Member States the objection has been raised that the process of implementation of the WAI [web accessibility initiative] guidelines will constitute an excessive financial engagement. This assumption is simply wrong, because implementing the accessibility guidelines from the first is only a little more expensive than not implementing them,' says the opinion, which suggests that national funding be earmarked for implementation of the communication's provisions. It also highlights the extra e-commerce opportunities that are opened up to websites that are compatible with disabled access and recommends that this element be addressed by the communication. EU institutions' websites need to be put in order, the opinion runs, referring to the ESC's own website and the work needed to make Europa II, the new version of the Commission's website, compatible. The importance of ensuring compatibility should be impressed on other organisations such as employers and trade unions, especially in the run up to the European year of disabled people, 2003.