The European
Commission has backed an action plan that could make accessibility
mandatory in e-procurement.
The plan is designed
to make sure that web-disadvantaged groups can get online. The
EC plan calls for European-wide broadband coverage to reach 90% by
2010. According to the Commission, only about 60% of rural areas
are covered by broadband services, although the figure rises to
about 90% in urban areas.
The EC is also
committed to adopting new measures that will halve exclusion rates
in digital literacy by 2010. As well as these measures, the EC is
considering the possible introduction of mandatory accessibility
standards in public procurement, again to be brought in by
2010.
Legislation is also
being considered to tackle the e-accessibility issue. Recent
studies have found that the majority of websites are inaccessible
by disabled people.