Consumer
policy
The European Union Consumer policy is seen as covering all kinds of consumer including consumers with disabilities. However, such consumers have special needs and specific actions are necessary to successfully implement a policy of integration.
The approach adopted has been the same as that for consumers without disabilities, that is to say, the consideration of projects for financial support and the inclusion of representative organisations in consultation procedures wherever appropriate.
Examples of this type of action includes:
- The development of criteria on Special User Needs that could be included in the protocols used for comparative testing of consumer products and provides some guidance when writing test reports. This work was co-ordinated by International Testing Limited, which groups consumer organisations that undertake joint comparative tests of consumer products.
- Financial assistance was also provided to a special unit of the BBC for a television programme directed at people with disabilities. Items covered included accessibility and facilities for the disabled in supermarkets and the problems faced by disabled people visiting EuroDisneyLand. As a direct result of the programme, the problems identified were corrected within 12 months.
More recently, the application of the principle of "Design for all" has concentrated particularly on preparation for the introduction of the EURO. This work has been carried out through the integration of representatives of people with particular handicaps at all stages of decision making as consumer representatives.
Since 1996, consumer representatives have been consulted through a specific "EURO group" from the Consumers' Committee, on different aspects of the Euro for consumers, among which the design of notes and coins. The Regulation on EURO-coins takes account of the need to ensure their easy use for all citizens including visually impaired and blind people. Other work concerns associated aspects of the introduction of the EURO. An agreement was signed on 30 June 1998 with professional associations representing the distribution and tourism sectors. This agreement mentions that the needs of blind or partially sighted people should be taken into account when designing price indications.
A third type of action relating to the EURO concerned training programmes for people from consumer organisations. The associations representing the blind and the deaf have been invited to send participants to these training sessions.
Finally, pilot-projects have been developed that are aimed at creating information and training tools adapted to the needs of the elderly, of people that are economically or socially disadvantaged, of people with specific handicap to have access to the information on the EURO (blind people, deaf people, persons with learning disabilities).
