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The use of ICT is transforming how our governments across the European Union interact with businesses and citizens. As European governments work to improve their public services through the innovative use of ICT, we have to ensure that all citizens, who wish to, can access and use what public administrations offer as far as is reasonably possible.
This means that the channels we use and the content we provide and the electronic services we offer have to be responsive to people's needs. This is not just beneficial for the individual, but equally so for society at large. When inclusion is built-in to public service design from the outset, individual opportunities in education, employment, health and social life are enhanced and this, in turn, has the potential to bring about a significant economic impact in Europe. This aspiration is, as this EU-wide research project shows, a real, yet surmountable challenge that we all face.
I am pleased that this research project into eAccessibility has uncovered many examples of good practice across the European Union from which we can all learn. It also shows, however, that we have some way to go before we substantially reduce the barriers that are experienced by many users. This project has analysed a number of these barriers and offers recommendations for various stakeholders, which, if adopted, could significantly improve the accessibility of our online public services.
Jim Murphy MP
Parliamentary Secretary
UK Cabinet Office