The European Commission's proposal for a Directive on the accessibility of public sector bodies' websites that would introduce mandatory EU standardised accessibility features, from the end of 2015, for 12 types of websites, was presented on the International Day of People with Disability.

The European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive on the International Day of People with Disability, on the accessibility of public sector bodies' websites would introduce mandatory EU standardised accessibility features, from the end of 2015, for 12 types of websites. The proposed new rules would clarify what web accessibility means (technical specs, methodology for assessment, reporting, bottom up testing), and governments would be encouraged to apply the rules across all services, not only the mandatory list. Commission opened a public consultation to improve website accessibility in Europe in 2008.

The main goal of the proposal is that mandatory accessibility would apply to essential government services like social security and health related services, job searches, university applications and issuing of personal documents and certificates. Key beneficiaries of today's proposal would be Europe's 80 million citizens with disabilities and the 87 million Europeans aged over 65.

According to the Commission, a single set of accessibility rules would mean developers could offer their products and services across the whole EU without extra adaptation costs and complications. The proposed Directive now goes to the EU's Council of Ministers and the European Parliament for adoption. Member states would have to put national rules and regulations in place by 30 June 2014. 21 member states already have national laws or measures on web accessibility but progress is slow.