Press Release: Commission welcomes agreement to make public sector websites and apps more accessible

Negotiators of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission agreed on 3 May 2016 on the first EU-wide rules to make the websites and mobile apps of public sector bodies more accessible, especially for the blind, the deaf and the hard of hearing.

The Directive covered public sector bodies' websites and mobile apps, from administrations, courts and police departments to public hospitals, universities and libraries.

• Primary Source

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 03.05.16: More accessible websites across Europe: agreement with European Parliament http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/05/03-more-accessible-website-across-europa/

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the accessibility of public sector bodies' websites http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-for-a-directive-of-the-european-parliament-and-of-the-council-on-the-accessibility-of-public-sector-bodies-websites/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 04.05.16: Deal on rules to help elderly and disabled people access online public services http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160504IPR25703/

EurActiv, 04.05.16: [Opinion] Web accessibility will now be the law of the land in Europe http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/opinion/web-accessibility-will-now-be-the-law-of-the-land-in-europe/

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