Accessibility means that things and services
are easy to use by people with disabilities.
For example:

• When buildings and buses have ramps,
  people in wheelchairs can get in
  without problems.
  
• When texts are easy to read,
  people with intellectual disabilities
  are able to understand them. 
• When booklets are available in Braille,
  blind people can read them
  like everyone else. 
  
• When the news on TV is presented
  in sign language,
  deaf people can get informed too.

The European Union has made laws
to make more things and services accessible
for people with disabilities.
For example, the European Accessibility Act.

But despite the progress made,
still many things and services in Europe
are not accessible
and people with disabilities cannot use them
like other people. 

This makes it hard to take part in things
that are common for other people;
For example:

• Going to the supermarket
• Working in an office
• Going to the doctor
• Meeting out with friends
• Shopping online

The European Commission wants to change that
and make sure that people with disabilities
can use all things and services in the community. 

The European Commission made
a plan of work for the coming years.
This plan is called ‘Strategy for the rights
of persons with disabilities 2021-2030’.
In short, we call it
‘the European Disability Strategy’.

One of the aims
of the European Disability Strategy
is to make Europe a more accessible place
where people with disabilities can get about
without problems.

In the coming years,
the European Commission will:

• Make a platform where countries
  can share good examples
  of accessibility around Europe.
  This way other countries can get ideas
  of how to make things better too.
  
• Work with all countries in the European Union
  to make sure that they take accessibility
  into account in everything
  they are planning to do.
  
• Check the laws that exist about accessibility,
  see how they are put in practice
  and if there is need for more laws
  about accessibility.