The Commission has launched a public consultation which seeks to prepare the future proposal for a European Accessibility Act. In particular, the consultation is aimed at gathering views from businesses, people with disabilities and the general public and will remain open until 29 February 2012. Additionally, it is fully accessible.

The public consultation launched by the European Commission seeks to prepare its proposals for a European Accessibility Act. The strategy, which was announced in December during a meeting with the European Disability Forum, aims to ensure that people with disabilities have access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transport and to information and communication services. It will also benefit people with limited mobility, such as the elderly.

According to the Commission, the consultation is fully accessible and is aimed at gathering views from businesses, people with disabilities and the general public. One in six people in the European Union – around 80 million – have a disability that ranges from mild to severe. Over one third of people aged over 75 have disabilities that restrict them to some extent. These numbers are set to rise as the EU population grows progressively older. The consultation will remain open until 29 February 2012.

The strategy outlined by the Commission last year seeks to create a barrier-free Europe for disabled people by 2020. The plan outlines how the EU and national governments can empower people with disabilities so they can enjoy their rights. One of the key actions included was an accessibility initiative. The aim is to use standardisation or public procurement rules to make all goods and services accessible to people with disabilities while fostering an EU market for assistive devices.