Publishing accessible information

At the Publications Office of the European Union,
we work to make the publications of the European Union - open a new tab.
accessible for all people.

We also want to help other people
to make their publications accessible.

In this part of our website,
we show how to create accessible information
like documents, videos and webpages.

When information is accessible,
it means that people with disabilities and all people
can use it without problems.

For example:

• When information is easy to read,
  people with intellectual disabilities
  will be able to read and understand it.

• When a video has subtitles,
  people who cannot hear
  will be able to understand it.

• When a document is accessible,
  blind people will be able to listen to it
  by using a system that reads texts aloud.

People with disabilities have the right
to get information in ways that fit their needs.

The European Union - open a new tab.
wants all information and services
to be accessible to everyone.

The European Union - open a new tab. has laws and plans
to protect the rights of people with disabilities
and make things accessible for them.

These laws and plans are:

• The UN Convention on the Rights
  of Persons with Disabilities

  This is an agreement
  that many countries in the world have signed.
  It says what rights people with disabilities have
  and how countries should work
  to protect these rights.
  The European Union - open a new tab. has also signed this agreement
  and works to make it happen in Europe.

• The Web Accessibility Directive

  This is a law that says
  that public websites in Europe
  should be accessible.
  For example, the website of your hospital
  and your townhall should be accessible
  and easy to use by everyone.

• The European Accessibility Act

  This is a law that helps to make
  more things and services in Europe
  accessible for people with disabilities.
  For example, cash machines, computers,
  televisions and ticket machines.

• The European Disability Strategy

  This is a plan that says
  how the European Union - open a new tab. will work
  to protect the rights of people with disabilities
  and make things accessible for them
  by 2030.

On the different pages of this website,
you can find information, videos, guides and tips
that will help you:

• Learn what accessible information means;
• Understand why it is important to make information accessible;
• Learn how to create accessible documents, videos
  and other information online.

People who work at the offices
of the European Union - open a new tab.
can follow courses to learn
how to publish accessible information.

The courses are available
at the EU Learn platform - open a new tab..

If you have any questions
or want us to learn more
about accessible information,
you can send us an email at:
op-accessible-publications@publications.europa.eu