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Parliamentary question - E-005219/2013Parliamentary question
E-005219/2013

Accessibility of Commission's online ‘Interactive Policy Making’ tool

Question for written answer E-005219-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Rafał Trzaskowski (PPE)

The Commission regularly consults citizens via its bespoke online ‘Interactive Policy Making’ (IPM) software tool. Unfortunately, this tool is not compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 level AA (WCAG 2.0 AA), and is therefore inaccessible to people suffering from sensory and motor impairments using assistive technology. As a result, disabled people are not given equal access to the preferred online consultation tool used by the Commission. Consultations are hampered because the .pdf files supplied are often not compliant with accessibility standards. Using a range of accessible alternative formats commonly used by disabled people would be good practice.

Following its ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the EU has new obligations in terms of providing equal access to information and communication for disabled people (see Articles 9 and 21 of the UNCRPD). Lack of compliance with these obligations disproportionately affects disabled citizens.

1. Could the Commission provide a clear timetable outlining any plans it has to upgrade or replace its current IPM software, in order to ensure that the sole existing means of consulting EU citizens on policy development is fully accessible to disabled people using assistive technology?

2. Could the Commission confirm that it will systematically provide a downloadable accessible file of the consultation document and questionnaire alongside each consultation as long as the current inaccessible IPM tool continues to be used?

3. Could the Commission ensure that any new software developed is appropriately tested by disabled people before launch?

OJ C 40 E, 11/02/2014