Expert meeting on web accessibility in Europe and the implementation of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

The recent adoption of WCAG 2.0, the ongoing work with the standardization mandate 376 on incorporating accessibility in public ICT procurements provide a new momentum for web accessibility. Expert meetings like the one which took place on 23 March 2009, where representatives of users and industry presented their views of what is required to achieve progress, are intended to provide the European Commission with advice on how to boost web accessibility in the EU Member States.

CONTEXT

In the 2006 Riga ministerial declaration on “ICT for an inclusive society”, European Ministerial representatives agreed that all public web sites should be accessible by 2010. Progress towards this target remains slow as demonstrated by recent monitoring on the status of web accessibility in Europe conducted for the European Commission.

On the 1st of December 2008 the Commission adopted the Communication "Towards an Accessible Information Society" proceeded by a public consultation. This Communication reinforces the European Commission's commitment to web accessibility and calls upon all stakeholders to step up their efforts in this area.

Many efforts are underway from public authorities and other stakeholders to improve web accessibility. Recent developments provide a new momentum for web accessibility, notably the adoption of the WCAG 2.0, other work from the W3C, the ongoing discussions on the standardisation mandate 376 on accessible public procurement of ICT goods and services.

The European Commission will continue to monitor and support web accessibility implementation efforts and publish progress.

The report of the meeting is available .

Presentations done by speakers at that meeting can be downloaded below, under the respective agenda item.

Subject	Speaker	Presentations
Welcome and setting the scene
Objectives for the day Recent European Commission activities	Miguel Gonzalez-Sancho, European Commission
User representatives
Who is concerned by web accessibility; what are the current challenges?	Isabel Borges, AGE
WCAG 1.0 vs. 2.0; what is the potential for improvement?	Nikolaos Floratos, ANEC
What is required to achieve progress; policy action, including at European level, and implementation actions from non-public stakeholders?	Nadege Riche, EDF
WCAG 2.0
WCAG 2.0; what is new? Accompanying material, technical guidance and supporting actions on the way Feasibility challenges; costs and benefits estimates What is required to achieve progress? Policy action, including at European level, and implementation actions from non-public stakeholders	Shadi Abou-Zahra, W3C	to view the slides please access the W3C web site
Industry perspective
What tools are currently available and what can be expected soon; approaches to support WCAG 2.0 Experiences of collaboration with public administrations and business regarding web accessibility implementation Feasibility challenges; costs and benefits estimates What is required to achieve progress? Policy action, including at European level, and implementation actions from non-public stakeholders
DIGITALEUROPE's view	Tony Graziano, DIGITALEUROPE
Practical Strategies for an Accessible Web	Elena Bonfiglioli, Microsoft
HP’s Perspective on Accessibility Solutions	Patrick O'Connor, HP
Adobe’s view of WCAG 2.0	Matt Morgan-May, Adobe
EU level activities
Monitoring and supporting actions; dialogue with stakeholders, future policy activities and international dialogue Research and development activities; what more is needed? Standardisation activities; current status and next steps Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and European Disability Action plan
	Francois Junique, European Commission
	Miguel Gonzalez-Sancho, European Commission
	Martina Sindelar, European Commission
	Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, European Commission
Web accessibility activities in European countries
Current status of web accessibility; available measurement Current and planned technical requirements; approaches for WCAG 2.0 implementation? Current and planned implementation mechanisms, incentives and obligations, support and training, monitoring and certification, awareness, cooperation with users and other stakeholders, cooperation between authorities and administrative measures, other Feasibility challenges; costs and benefits estimates What is required to achieve progress? Policy action, including at European level, and implementation actions from non-public stakeholders
Overview of the situation in Europe	Lutz Kubitschke, Empirica, Germany (MEAC study)
The case of Spain	Félix Barrio Juarez, INTECO, Spain
Nomensa's Web Accessibility Framework	Léonie Watson, Nomensa Ltd, United Kingdom
UK perspective on IT accessibility – EFD BTAT	Graeme Whippy, Employers’ Forum on Disability, United Kingdom
The Dutch approach on web accessibility	Imke Vrijling, Ministerie Van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties, The Netherlands
Web Accessibility Legislation in Germany	Kai Morten, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
imergo®: some views on WCAG 2.0 implementation	Carlos A Velasco, Fraunhofer FIT, Germany
Web accessibility activities in Ireland	Donál Rice, National Disability Authority, Ireland

Last update: 13/09/2011

Expert meeting on web accessibility in Europe and the implementation of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0

CONTEXT

Welcome and setting the scene

User representatives

WCAG 2.0

Industry perspective

EU level activities

Web accessibility activities in European countries