1. SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICIES
2. NON DISCRIMINATION
3. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
4. ACCESSIBILITY
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4.2 New Head of Unit of Accessibility in the European Commission
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4.5 Revision of the "Television without Frontiers" Directive
5. EUROPEAN FINANCING
6. INTERESTING EVENTS
7. PARTICIPATION IN CONSULTATION PROCESSES
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7.1 Public consultation on Digital Libraries
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7.2 Public consultation on the creation of the European Institute of Technology
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7.3 Public consultation on Road Transport
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7.4 Public consultation on Postal Services
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7.5 Public consultation on e-Communications
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7.6 Public consultation on Active Social Inclusion
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7.7 Public consultation on Sea Transport
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7.8 White Paper on Communication from the European Commission
1. Social Protection Policies
1.1 Services of General Interest: Social Services of General Interest
INTEREST FOR EBU
This future proposal for Services of General Interest influences, among others, Social Services which are so important for all people with disabilities.
BACKGROUND
The Socialist Group in the European Parliament held a meeting on 7th
February to launch a public debate on a possible future Directive for Services
of General Interest. This Parliamentary Group took advantage of the occasion
to present a text of what could be a Directive for SGI with the objective of
discussing the key points; at the same time, all parties concerned were
requested to send their contribution based on the referred text. The text of
the proposal suggests various alternatives to be debated, based upon the fact
that the Directive must clarify the division of competences between the
European Union and the Member States, introducing some clear criteria to
differentiate between economic and non economic services, respecting sectorial
legislation if it exists or if necessary, clarifying financing rules for those
services and guaranteeing the respect of principles of transparency,
solidarity, quality, universality and equal access.
This initiative will hopefully be completed at the beginning of April, in view
of the conference on social services organized by the Austrian Presidency on
20th April.
In relation with the communication on Social Services, we have heard from
European newspapers that the Commission has provisionally set the adoption of
the Communication of Social Services of General Interest for 12th April.
Although the communication text has not been made public, the mentioned
article indicates as follows:
The communication underlines the differences still existing among Member
States with regards the idea of "Social Services". Some Member States, such as
Spain, are in favour of a broad notion of this type of services.
Most countries recognise the specificity of this type of services.
The Commission tries to identify common features, giving the following first
definition: "Services focused on the implementation of fundamental social
rights" and that try to satisfy social needs that cannot be dealt with through
market structures.
It seems that all the States have defended their competence with regards the
organization and financing of these services, applying the subsidiarity
principle, although some explanations are requested regarding the rules
applicable to these services.
According to this article, the majority of States do NOT support a Directive
for Services of General Economic Interest. Some States have requested only
recommendations at Community level and this could be the final choice of the
Commission.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
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Follow-up on and analysis of the Communication on Social Services to be
published
Contacts with key European Commission agents in charge of the subject
Assessment of a possible participation in an event to be organized in 2006,
under the Austrian Presidency.
Try to find out to what extent this study is related with the awaited
Commission Communication on Social Services.
DEADLINE
The communication on Social Services is planned to be published on 12th
April
The Conference on Social Services will be held on 20th April under the
Austrian Presidency
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Under study.
2. Non Discrimination
2. 1 Regulation concerning the rights of persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air
INTEREST FOR EBU
This regulation proposal is very important as it would be the first specific legislative proposal for people with disabilities.
BACKGROUND
On last 15th December, in the plenary session of the European Parliament,
the text of the Regulation on Rights of Passengers with Reduced Mobility was
passed.
The main points of this Regulation for people with disabilities are as
follows:
Impossibility to deny boarding except for safety reasons resorting to
national or international legislation
Guarantee of traveller's assistance
Quality of the assistance
Guarantee of compensation for damages caused to some specific devices or
material belonging to people with disabilities
In the case of the community of blind people, the existing principle of
limitation to five hours for journeys of people with an assistance dog in the
cabin has been eliminated.
The text is undergoing a linguistic revision at present in the Council.
It is important to underline that the final text will include the possibility
for air carriers to require people with disabilities to travel with an
accompanying person, always for safety reasons and whenever it is provided by
international, national or community law. This provision, that was included in
the original European Commission's proposal, was eliminated by the European
Parliament, but due to the lack of Council's consensus it was included again
in the first reading vote of 15th December.
At present, it is undergoing a linguistic revision in the Union's Council.
This process should be finalized in April and the final adoption is planned in
May at the earliest.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Follow-up on the Council's agreement.
To work at national level and value the possibility of working jointly with
the European Commission on the preparation of a guide containing
recommendations on the interpretation of this Regulation.
DEADLINE
April 2006: linguistic revision by the Council
May 2006: final adoption
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Under study.
3. Training and Employment
3.1 2006 Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member
States
INTEREST FOR EBU
It is very important to know the nature of these employment guidelines for each one of the Member States, evaluating how they include the disability, and in our case the visual disability, perspective.
BACKGROUND
At the end of January 2006, the European Commission presented its proposal
of guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. It is worth
stressing that the new Lisbon Strategy, as amended last year, is based upon a
new governance cycle, with an integrated package of employment and economic
policy guidelines that must, in principle, be valid until 2008. Therefore, the
January proposal only confirms the guidelines adopted, as you know, in July
2005.
It is also worth recalling that, on the basis of this integrated package of
guidelines, the Member States have prepared their programmes of national
reforms which were presented to the Commission last October and which defined
their strategy to reach growth and more employment for the next three years.
In parallel with the confirmation of these employment guidelines, the
Commission presented, on 25th January, its first balance on national
programmes of employment reforms and the new growth and employment strategy.
Member States shall foster in a balanced manner in their employment policies
the following three objectives:
1. Full employment
2. Improving quality and productivity at work
3. Strengthening social and territorial cohesion.
The employment guidelines show that equal opportunities and combating
discrimination will have to be taken into account as basic elements in
national employment strategies. It must be stressed that the employment
guidelines insist in paying attention to the significant reduction of
employment gaps for people at a disadvantage, with an explicit mention to
people with disabilities. We list below the employment guidelines for the
2005-2008 period:
1. Implement employment policies aiming at achieving full employment,
improving quality and productivity at work, and strengthening social and
territorial cohesion
2. Promote a lifecycle approach to work
3. Ensure inclusive labour markets, enhance work attractiveness, and make work
pay for job-seekers, including disadvantaged people, and the inactive
4. Improve matching of labour market needs
5. Promote flexibility combined with employment security and reduce labour
market segmentation, having due regard to the role of the social partners
6. Ensure employment-friendly labour cost developments and wage-setting
mechanisms
7. Expand and improve investment in human capital
8. Adapt education and training systems in response to new competence
requirements
The Parliamentary Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted its
report on Employment Guidelines, with 36 votes in favour, 3 against and 2
abstentions. The report supports the European Commission's view that the
adopted guidelines for the 2005-2008 period must be maintained. The report
indicates that more emphasis must be put on employment of the youth and the
elderly, as well as integration of socially vulnerable groups.
This report will be voted in the plenary of the European Parliament during the
week of 3rd April in Strasbourg.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
To value how each of the guidelines can be made more specific, and concretely guideline 3 for the community of severely partially sighted people.
DEADLINE
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OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Under study.
4. Accessibility
4.1 Compatibility of European Parliament's webpage with all
accessibility requisites for people with disabilities
INTEREST FOR EBU
Accessibility is one of the priority areas for all the community of blind
or partially sighted people and this type of initiatives are very important as
they allow us to check that awareness on these questions is gradually
increasing.
It is a good opportunity, with a minimum effort for the EBU, to show its
commitment to cooperate with the European sphere, to make the organization
visible and to make available its experience in the field of new technologies.
BACKGROUND
The disability support group in the European Parliament has requested assistance to make the European Parliament's webpage compatible with all accessibility requisites for people with disabilities. This group is made up of Parliament's staff interested in the area of disability. Any comment or advice may be sent to the following address: disability-support@europarl.eu.int.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
To value the possibility to make contributions.
DEADLINE
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OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress.
4.2 New Head of Unit of Accessibility in the European
Commission
INTEREST FOR EBU
Informative update.
BACKGROUND
The eAccessibility Unit of DG information Society has a new Head of Unit, Paul Timmers. Per Blix, former Head of this Unit, has become Head of the eGovernment Unit. As you know, the Deputy Head of the eAccessibility Unit is Inmaculada Placencia.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Value the possibility to have an interview with the new Head of Unit.
DEADLINE
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OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress.
4.3 Digital libraries: creation of Group of Experts
INTEREST FOR EBU
The EBU will have to make sure that the needs of people with blindness or partial sight in this field are fulfilled. In this way, work will have to be done to ensure that, among others, all guarantees regarding accessibility are fulfilled in the revision.
BACKGROUND
On 28th April 2005, six Heads of State and Government sent a letter to the
EU British Presidency and to the European Commission where they defended the
idea of creating a Virtual European Library in order to make the European
cultural and scientific heritage available to all citizens. The European
Commission acknowledged this idea on 30th September through the presentation
of a communication called "i2010: Digital libraries" that wants to be one of
the first actions in the framework of the so-called "i2010 - A European
Information Society for Growth and Employment" initiative.
In its Communication, the Commission presents three areas that will be
examined in the framework of this initiative in order to make the potential of
digital technologies a reality:
1. Accessibility on-line of available material from the public domain
2. Digitalization of analogue collection and the various obstacles faced by
this digitalization effort
3. Preservation and storage of digital material
During the first week of February, the High Level Expert Group on Digital
Libraries was set up. Its mission will be to advise the Commission until 31st
December 2008 and offer a strategic vision in relation with the initiative on
digital libraries. The Group will include 20 members designated by DG
Information Society that will represent the following categories: memory
organisations (libraries, archives, museums); authors, publishers and content
providers; ICT industry; scientific and research organisations, academia.
Furthermore, there will be the possibility to create some ad hoc subgroups to
deal with specific questions. Once they have been designated, the name of the
members will be published on the Internet site of the Commission.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
To value the possibility to deal with accessibility questions that are so important for people with severe visual impairment, within the working subgroups created at a later date.
DEADLINE
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OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Under study.
4.4. 7th Research and Development Programme
INTEREST FOR EBU
To try and include the universal accessibility concept. Moreover, the mention to the community of people with disabilities has been extended to the social field, not only the health sector.
BACKGROUND
The European Parliament has been working on its report during the whole month of February.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Some national members have contributed with concrete amendments to this text.
DEADLINE
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OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress
4.5. Revision of the "Television without Frontiers" Directive
INTEREST FOR EBU
The EBU will have to keep watch so the needs of blind and partially sighted people are fully met in this field. In this sense, work will have to be done to make sure that all accessibility guarantees are fulfilled in the revision of this Directive.
BACKGROUND
During the first week of February, the European Commission published a
communication on interoperability of interactive digital television
services. In this report, the Commission concludes that the regulation of
obligatory standards is not the best way to launch and promote digital
television, taking into account dynamism and rapid technological progress that
are characteristic of the area. For this reason, the Commission
supports voluntary standards in the promotion of interoperability of equipments
and interactive services. This Communication and the proposal
of Directive for Audiovisual Media Services (revision of the "Television without
Frontiers" Directive) never deal with the question of e-
accessibility.
The Parliamentary Culture Committee will be mainly responsible for preparing the
report that will be voted in the plenary. Moreover,
Parliamentary Committees on Industry, Civil Liberties and Fundamental Rights,
the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection will give an opinion
that will have to be taken into account.
The week of 20th March has witnessed the debates on the revision of the
"Television without Frontiers" Directive that were held in the
Parliamentary Committees on Culture and Education (main committee) and the
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection,
that will give an opinion on that proposal.
There was no real core debate on the proposal in none of the two Parliamentary
committees; it was rather an exchange of views on procedural
matters and calendar. It is worth underlying that the various Parliamentary
committees have agreed to work in close cooperation and as a result
a working group has been created that includes the speakers of each of the
committees involved, that will hold closed meetings periodically to
thoroughly discuss the proposal. It has not been clearly defined whether the
Committee on Industry will hold a major role or only express a
viewpoint. Apart from the Committees on Culture and on Industry, the Committees
on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on the Internal Market, on
Civil Liberties and on Women's Rights and Gender Equality will also give an
opinion. It is interesting to note that the Committee on Employment
and Social Affairs has not asked to give an opinion in this regard; this may
indicate the lack of awareness of MEPs on the fact that this Directive
may have an impact on some groups in danger of exclusion, such as people with
disabilities.
It is important to note also that on 1st and 2nd June (dates to be confirmed) an
audience will be held in the Parliament on this subject. The
speaker has requested alternative speakers from all Parliamentary committees
involved to forward suggestions of topics to be dealt with during
this event.
In line with this, we are preparing a letter that will be sent to key MEPs in
order to suggest that the subject of accessibility to digital television
should be dealt with.
Moreover, the European Parliament passed an own-initiative resolution on the
"digital divide" in Europe, where special attention is devoted to
access of people with disabilities.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
The revision proposal will have to be analyzed and lobby actions will have to be
taken in order to guarantee the interests of blind people.
Some National Members have sent contributions to the shadow speakers in line
with the request from the speaker from the Committee on
Culture.
DEADLINE
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OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Under study
5. European Financing
5.1 Financial perspectives
INTEREST FOR EBU
The interest is that, depending on the existing final agreement on this subject, we will know the definitive distribution for each Fund, as well as for each of the Proposals and Initiatives in the field of Social Policy as they come up.
BACKGROUND
The financial perspectives have been approved by the European Parliament.
The Parliamentary Committee on Budgets urgently met on 11th
January to vote its report on the financial perspectives proposal agreed by
the European leaders last December in the Council.
The report from the Parliamentary Committee on Budgets rejects the financial
perspectives agreed by the Council as they do not guarantee a
European budget able to cover the prosperity, competitivity and cohesion
needs. According to the report, the perspectives reflect more national
interests than the European dimension, and they will limit new Community
policies and the EU capacity to face new challenges. The report also
requests the involvement of the Parliament in the community budget revision
that would start in 2008. In spite of this rejection, the report says
that the December agreement is a starting point to carry on with tripartite
negotiations with the Council and the Commission.
On last 21st March an inter-institutional meeting on financial perspectives
was held. It seems that the European Parliament and the Council are
very divided on this subject and that the Austrian Presidency has very little
leeway to negotiate. The subject was not included in the agenda of
the Summit of Heads of State and Government on 23rd and 24th March.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
The EBU will have to carry out a follow-up on the final agreement regarding these Perspectives and the final assignment for each of the Funds.
DEADLINE
First quarter of 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress.
6. Interesting Events
6.1 Conference on e-Accessibility
INTEREST FOR EBU
This conference stands within the framework of the Communication on
e-Accessibility in September 2005 and its general objective is to
investigate available methodologies for declaration, registration and
management of accessibility requirements in products related with ICT.
The idea is to initiate a constructive dialogue with the parties concerned and
identify practical approaches to be implemented.
BACKGROUND
On 27th March, the conference on e-Accessibility Registration and
Standardization took place; it was organized by the European Commission's
DG on Information Society and one of the Working Groups was devoted to digital
television.
Some National Members took part in this Conference.
In relation with this subject, the following events are planned:
25th April: The European Commission will organize an Open Policy
Stakeholders Meeting on European eInclusion Policy.
26th April: Conference on e-Inclusion in Europe, organized also by the
European Commission, with the objective of giving an
opportunity to parties concerned to voice ideas and suggestions for the
preparation of the e-Inclusion initiative to be launched in 2008 in the
framework of the i2010 Strategy. There will be two sessions of interest for
EBU, one devoted to e-Accessibility and the other to e-Government.
The other sessions will be focused on elderly people, cultural diversity and
other subjects. It is worth mentioning that the Commission will give
an opportunity to anyone interested to briefly intervene to indicate what
challenge or subject should be dealt with, what actions should be taken
and at what level, and what is their own contribution for 2008 and beyond.
Contributions must be presented in Power Point format, with a
maximum of 3 pages, before 17th April.
11th-12th June: ICT for an Inclusive Society Conference, organized by the
European Commission and the Austrian Presidency, with
representatives from civil society, the industry, the public sector, etc. The
objective of this conference will be to set the policy agenda for the
coming years, identify how best to implement this agenda, commit, and involve,
all stakeholders from the beginning and share examples of best
practice. The conference will include an informal meeting of Ministers from
Member States to adopt a declaration providing political guidance
for future action.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Follow-up on the results of these events.
DEADLINE
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OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Completed
6.2 Conference on Social Services of General Interest,
under the Austrian Presidency
INTEREST FOR EBU
Specific Conference on Social Services.
BACKGROUND
It is also planned to present in this conference the specific communication on Social Services from the European Commission.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
To value the possibility to participate in this event, trying to include the visual disability perspective.
DEADLINE
20th April
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Pending holding
6.3 European Employment Week
INTEREST FOR EBU
Annual event held by the European Commission in the field of employment.
BACKGROUND
This year will be devoted to Free Movement of Workers.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Evaluate whether it would be interesting for the EBU to participate in this Conference.
DEADLINE
The Conference will be held on 16th-18th March 2006
6.f. OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Pending holding
7. Participation in consultation processes
7.1 Public consultation on Digital Libraries
INTEREST FOR EBU
The objective of this initiative on digital libraries is to make information resources in Europe more interesting in the framework of new technologies.
BACKGROUND
The main points of interest of the EBU response to this consultation are:
1. To achieve a real social inclusion.
2. Involvement of people with disabilities.
3. To achieve true accessibility.
4. Importance of design and some technical criteria.
5. Copyright.
6. Legal deposit.
7. Digital rights management.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Follow-up on the conclusions stemming from this consultation process.
DEADLINE
It finalized on 20th January 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Completed
7.2 Public consultation on the creation of the European Institute of
Technology
INTEREST FOR EBU
It may be very interesting to define some of the activities of this Institute, relating them with some of our needs or requests.
BACKGROUND
The Council has given a positive reception to the commitment by the Parliament on the proposal to create a new European Institute of Technology, inviting the Commission to present more concrete proposals on this subject next June.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Follow-up on the progress being made.
DEADLINE
Not specified but, in any case, its creation is planned for before the end of 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress
7.3 Public consultation on road transport. Meeting held with key partners.
INTEREST FOR EBU
The consultation process initiated by the Commission would enable to know and take into account the various fields of interest and points of view of the different parties involved.
BACKGROUND
The EBU took part in this consultation process.
Its main contributions were directed at guaranteeing the needs of blind
people.
Furthermore, on 29th March, a meeting organized by the European Commission was
held with the participation of all parties involved in this consultation.
Some EBU National Members were present.
It is worth mentioning that a specific item was devoted to people with reduced
mobility.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Follow-up on the actions stemming from the European Commission.
DEADLINE
There is no deadline for future actions but indication has been given that no proposal will be presented before the end of 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Under study
7.4 Public consultation on postal services
INTEREST FOR EBU
The interests of blind people need to be guaranteed in this field.
BACKGROUND
The EBU took part in the process.
The main aspects of its contribution were as follows:
1. The scope of application of the universal services
2. Need to harmonize universal services
3. Importance of the existence of free universal services (postal services).
4. Protection of the rights of blind people
Furthermore, we have heard that the European Parliament has published a report
on postal services, where no mention is made to people with visual disabilities.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Follow-up on the results of this public consultation.
DEADLINE
The participation deadline in this public consultation was 27th January 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Completed
7.5 Public consultation on e-Communications
INTEREST FOR EBU
To guarantee the accessibility of blind or partially sighted people.
BACKGROUND
The EBU took part in this consultation.
The main areas of interest are as follows:
1. Technical equipment
2. Technical solutions
3. New services
4. Digital television
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
Follow-up on the results as they are achieved.
DEADLINE
The answering deadline for this public consultation will be 31st January 2006.
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
Completed
7.6 Public consultation on the active inclusion of the people furthest from the labour market
INTEREST FOR EBU
It would be interesting to reflect the situation of blind or partially sighted people in relation with their access to the labour market.
BACKGROUND
The European Commission published on 8th February a communication on active
inclusion in the labour market. The communication evaluates the actions and
progress reached at European and national level, as well as the outstanding
challenges in the area. Furthermore, it launches a public consultation on the
subject.
This communication thus has two goals:
First, to review the progress achieved in the context of an enlarged Union
towards the aim of fostering labour market access for those who are excluded
Second, based upon this review, to launch a public consultation on possible
guidelines for action at EU-level, with a view to promoting the active
inclusion of people furthest from the labour market.
The consultation launched by the communication is addressed to public
authorities at all levels, as well as civil society organizations that cater
for the interest of people at risk of exclusion and/or are providing
supplementary services to such people.
In order to map out possible directions for future action at European level in
support of national policies to promote more effective integration of people
excluded from the labour market, the Commission invites social partners,
public authorities and other civil society stakeholders to give their opinions
on the following issues:
(1) Given the challenge for Member States to address social inclusion and in
particular the integration of people furthest from the labour market, is there
a need for further action at EU level, and if there is, what are the most
useful ways by which the EU could complement and support the action at
national level?
(2) How should the Union build on the common ground agreed in the 1992
Recommendation to promote the rights and access to services needed for the
integration of excluded people, taking into account the relevant policy
innovations?
(3) Is there any justification for action at EU level, based upon Article
137(1) (h) ? In such a context, could the aspects concerning activation and
access to the labour market be the subject of negotiation between the social
partners ?
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
The EBU is preparing a response to this consultation.
DEADLINE
The answering deadline for this public consultation will be 19th April 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress
Back to Contents
7.7. Public consultation on Sea Transport
INTEREST FOR EBU
It is important to guarantee the rights of blind people in this type of transport.
BACKGROUND
The present consultation is part of the follow-up to the Commission's
communication, presented in February 2005, on strengthening passenger rights
within the European Union. In effect, on that same date a specific Regulation
on the rights of air passengers was also presented, and the Commission
announced in its Communication that it intended to consider whether the
protection already enjoyed by air passengers should be extended to other
transport users.
It is worth mentioning that the Directive 2003/24 on safety of passengers
engaged in transport by ship includes a series of provisions related to people
with disabilities and reduced mobility. At the same time, the Commission has
initiated an independent study to analyze and evaluate the level of protection
of the rights of sea passengers that should be finalized by the end of 2006.
Through this consultation the Commission intends to examine the current
situation as regards the protection of passenger rights in the maritime
transport sector, with particular emphasis on the rights of persons with
reduced mobility, in the framework of the journey itself as well as protection
of users in relation with denied boarding, delays or cancellations, etc.
In particular, the Commission wants to gather views on the following specific
points:
Whether the broad lines of existing Community policy on the protection of
users of other means of transport should be applied to maritime transport;
What is the view on the current situation concerning the protection of the
rights of passengers carried by sea and information provided to them;
Opinions and suggestions on how best to make any improvements that might be
needed, and what general and legal means should be used to make them.
Regarding people with disabilities, the Commission would like to examine the
following aspects through the consultation:
Access to ports and means of maritime transport;
Discrimination on the grounds of disability permission in areas such as
denied permission to board, cancellations, etc.;
The right to receive all necessary information and assistance at no extra
cost;
Being able to rely on a standard legal framework which ensures equal
protection of rights throughout Europe.
In order to facilitate contributions, the Commission has divided the
questionnaire in the following five chapters with a series of specific
questions
(the third chapter is the one that deals specifically with people with
disabilities):
1. The need for regulation
2. Automatic and immediate measures if a journey is interrupted
3. Passengers with reduced mobility
4. Complaints and means of redress
5. Other issues, such as quality of service.
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
The EBU is preparing a response to this consultation.
DEADLINE
The answering deadline for this public consultation will be 30th April 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress.
7.8 White Paper on Communication from the European Commission
INTEREST FOR EBU
It would be interesting to reflect the importance of accessibility to information and communication for people with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUND
The European Commission published on 1st February its White Paper on the
European Communication Policy. This communication shows up the need for a
better interaction between EU Institutions and the citizens. Faced with this
challenge, the Commission explains how it can be overcome through a series of
proposals and by inviting all interested parties, including public
administrations at all levels, individuals and organizations to express their
views on the subject. This note presents the general objectives of the
Commission, as well as the areas and questions of the consultation and how to
participate.
The final objective of the Commission is to improve communication between
Europe and its citizens, to promote their knowledge on European policies and
their impact on the citizens' real life and rights, as well as to improve
citizen participation in the decision-taking process. The Commission wishes
this improvement in communication to be a two-way street, involving therefore
all key players, that is, EU Institutions and bodies, national, regional and
local authorities, European political parties and social organizations.
In its White Paper, the Commission identifies five key areas for the
improvement of communication between citizens and EU institutions. In relation
with each of these aspects, the White Paper offers a series of possible
actions on which comments and opinions are requested.
1. Defining common principles
2. Empowering citizens
3. Working with the media and new technologies
4. Understanding European Public Opinion
5. Partnership approach involving all key actors
ACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT
La EBU is preparing a response to this consultation.
DEADLINE
The answering deadline for this public consultation will be 31st July 2006
OBSERVATIONS/STATUS
In progress.