Computers, phones and banking services must be accessible to all under a new European law that has just come into force.
The European Accessibility Act has now entered into application across in the EU. Products and services including phones, computers, e-books, banking services and electronic communications must be accessible for people with disabilities.
The EU says the law is “a step forward to reduce barriers persons with disabilities face every day.”
It will make it easier for millions of people to use IT and access key public services, the European Commission says.
All 27 EU member state including Ireland must ensure that the law is upheld.
The law sets common standards down to details about adequate font sizes and the availability of text-to-speech features at self-service payment terminals like cash machines.
European Commission for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, said the benefits will be huge.
“Around 100 million people in the EU live with a disability. Accessibility is a precondition for participation in society. The European Accessibility Act is a measure of fairness and justice, but also of growth and innovation. It is a further step in enabling people with disabilities across the EU to enjoy their lives the same way as those without disabilities. As we celebrate this achievement, let’s put it into action and enforce it, making sure these new rules bring about real and lasting change for everyone.”
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is monitoring compliance with the new law in Ireland. The CCPC says manufacturers, importers and distributors in Ireland have obligations under the European Accessibility Act.
“The CCPC is responsible for promoting and enforcing compliance with certain sections of the EAA in Ireland and is developing a set of guidelines for microenterprises. Drafted with the help of the National Disability Authority, the CCPC guidelines are intended to support microenterprises to understand the European Accessibility Act and make their products more accessible to all.”
Those guidelines follow a consultation which took account of the views of a range of small businesses across Ireland.
“The new law is the first European directive of its kind and establishes accessibility requirements that will make it easier for disabled people to use. Products covered under the EAA include computers, ATMs, smartphones, some self-service ticketing machines, e-readers, and smart televisions”, the CCPC says.