Accessibility deal for European public sector websites

A deal to make public sector websites more accessible – particularly to those with disabilities – has been agreed by the three European Union institutions, notes Ars Technica. "In a late night deal, the Parliament, Council and Commission backed Europe-wide rules to make public bodies' websites and mobile apps more user-friendly for the blind, the deaf, and the hard of hearing." At present, around 80 million people in the EU are affected by a disability, according to the Commission. But that figure is expected to rise to 120 million by 2020 due to an ageing population. "Internet access should be a reality for everyone. Leaving millions of Europeans behind is not an option. This agreement is an important step towards a digital single market, which is about removing barriers so that all Europeans can get the best from the digital world," said the Commission's vice president for all things digital, Andrus Ansip. Read More

• Tuesday, 24 May 2016