More accessible websites across Europe

9 May 2016 - The Netherlands presidency reached an informal deal with the European Parliament on a new directive to make public sector websites and mobile applications more accessible, especially for people with disabilities. What websites, apps and content will be covered? The draft directive requires member states to ensure that public sector websites and mobile applications meet European accessibility standards.

The rules will include, for example, guidelines on providing descriptions of non-textual content for persons with visual limitations, or on creating content that can be better presented across a range of devices. These requirements will make content more accessible and usable to a wider public, and will especially benefit people with various types of disabilities. The new rules will apply both to websites and mobile applications (apps) of public sector bodies.

These include state, regional and local authorities, and bodies and associations serving the general interest that are governed by public law, such as an association of adjacent municipalities which organises joint waste management. The directive sets out minimum conditions, allowing member states to apply additional requirements to public sector websites and apps.

They may also apply the requirements set out in this directive and/or additional ones to the websites and apps of other types of organisations. Under the Netherlands presidency, the scope of the directive has been extended to mobile applications, which are more popular than websites. The directive also covers extranets and intranets that are published after the new rules come into force and older ones that undergo substantial revision, allowing employees and students to access information that is essential in their daily lives.