The European commission is currently drafting a new European Accessibility Act. The Act aims to make goods and services more accessible to people who have disabilities throughout Europe. Autism-Europe and the European Disability Forum have participated in the European Commission’s consultation, providing details of what people with disabilities need in this new Act.
Here are just a few of the things we requested on behalf of people with autism:
- A definition of ‘accessibility’ that includes access to information and communications;
- Accessible public information and communications, in plain language with visual supports, especially on public transport, in public places, on the internet and for emergency services;
- Access to education and lifelong learning;
- Access to, and reasonable accommodation within, healthcare services;
- Reasonable accommodation within workplaces and job interviews.
The European Accessibility Act is a part of the European Union’s disability strategy 2010-2010, and it will help to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities throughout the EU. The Act is expected to be finished and adopted by the European Parliament by the end of 2012.
More information on the Accessibility Act