Accessibility of Public Sector Websites and Mobile Apps – Examining the Directive (EU) 2016/2102

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Inaccessibility on the Web and Internet-enabled mobile technologies are threatening to exclude individuals who experience forms of disabilities, such as visually impaired or/and deaf persons. Thanks to the Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies, also known as Directive (EU) 2016/2102 that complex, “grey zone” has started illuminating. 

 

Let’s deconstruct the Directive!

 

In what follows, we’ve outlined some of the most important information that every interested stakeholder in the field of accessibility and disability should be aware of.

 

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

 

The Directive entered into force on 22 December 2016.

 

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

 

The aim of the directive principle is to ensure that public bodies websites and mobile applications are accessible to all, particularly to EU citizens who experience different forms of disabilities, by making them “perceivable, operable, understandable and robust”.

In other words, the main aspect of the Directive is that all public sector websites and mobile apps must have a web accessibility statement.

 

WHAT IS COVERED?

The Directive covers “‘public sector body’ means the State, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law”. For example:

  • Administrations
  • Courts
  • Police departments
  • Public hospitals
  • Universities
  • Schools
  • Libraries

Given that the Directive requires that all EU member states ensure the websites and mobile apps of public sector bodies are made more accessible on the basis of common accessibility requirements, the ACCESS4All team is among the Erasmus+ projects that highly support that provision, which definitely promotes fundamental human values such as equality and social inclusion for all, regardless of any form of disability; after all “It’s not our disabilities, it’s our abilities that count.” – Chris Burke

 

Sources

Accessibility of Public Sector Websites and Mobile Apps – Examining the Directive (EU) 2016/2102
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