European Disability Forum launches implementation toolkit

The European Disability Forum (EDF) has published a toolkit for implementing the Directive on accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (Directive (EU) 2016/2012) which was adopted on 26 October 2016.  

The aim is to provide information on the Directive itself as well as tips and advice for transposing the Directive into national law. The toolkit consists of two parts; the first contains information on the Directive, a timeline for implementing the Directive, and explanations of some key definitions, key documents and key players at national level. The second part of the toolkit provides information about what the Directive covers and an explanation of important provisions such as scope, accessibility requirements, exemptions, enforcement and monitoring.  

The purpose of the web accessibility Directive is to approximate the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States with regard to accessibility requirements for the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies so that users, particularly people with disabilities, have better access to them (see previous article: Accessible design of websites and apps in the public sector). 

The Directive was adopted in October 2016 and must be transposed by the Member States into national law by 23 September 2018. Member States must then apply the rules to public sector websites and mobile applications as follows: 

• from 23 September 2019 on websites published after 23 September 2018 
• from 23 September 2020 on all websites 
• from 23 June 2021 on mobile applications 

The Toolkit is available here.