[eccr] Commissioner Liikanen assesses 'e-Inclusion in Europe' programme

Title: Commissioner Liikanen assesses 'e-Inclusion in Europe' programme

Date: 16/04/2003 08:15       

Commissioner Liikanen assesses 'e-Inclusion in Europe' programme

In short:
Urging the creation of an Inclusive European Information Society, Commissioner Erkki Liikanen has outlined the current status and the tasks ahead for the Commission's "eInclusion in Europe" programme. 

Brief news:
The underlying goal of the Commission's eEurope 2005 Action Plan is to make information society accessible to all, and e-Inclusion is a key element of the process, Mr Liikanen told a ministerial symposium in Crete on 11 April. The e-Inclusion concept is especially pertinent to the needs of people with disabilities. 

The current activities focus on four main target areas: 

*    Reviewing relevant legislation to ensure "participation for all in the knowledge-based economy" (a Working Group is scheduled to produce its first results by late 2003), 
*    Publishing the "Design for All and Assistive Technology Standards" aimed at improving the employability and social inclusion of people with disabilities, 
*    Implementing and improving the "Web Accessibility Initiative" guidelines for public web sites, adopted in 2001, 
*    Broadening the network of "National Centres of Excellence in Design for All", and approving recommendations for a "European Curriculum" for designers and engineers. 

To promote the accomplishment of the e-Inclusion and eAccessibility-related goals laid down in the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, Commissioner Liikanen urged stronger reliance on public procurement, and expressed support for the plan to create the position of Accessibility Ombudsman. 

Source: http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgint.exe/?targ=1&204&OIDN=1505212