Internet for all

EU member states have joined with other European countries to commit to opening up access to the internet for all Europe?s citizens.

In total, 34 countries signed up at a meeting in Riga (Latvia) on 12th June to a declaration which sets out a number of ambitious ?e-inclusion? targets to be achieved by 2010 including:

• Halving the gap in internet usage for groups at risk from exclusion, such as older people, those with disabilities and the unemployed;
• Increasing broadband coverage in Europe to at least 90%;
• Ensuring that all public websites are accessible.

Ministers also committed to action in the fields of digital literacy and skills, as well as accessibility standards.

The need for action in this area has been highlighted by statistics which show that broadband penetration across Europe is still only 13% of the population (25% of households), that only 10% of people over 65 use the internet and that just 3% of public websites are fully compliant with minimum web disability standards.

The countries involved will try to reach these targets through a variety of measures including national e-inclusion plans, innovative EU research and industry-led provision of accessible technology. 

For more information on the e-inclusion plans, contact your local EIC

Bradford Euro Info Centre Tel:  01274 434262  e-mail: eic@bradford.gov.uk
Leeds Euro Info Centre Tel:  0113 283 3126  e-mail: eic@leedsmet.ac.uk
Sheffield Euro Info Centre Tel:  0114 201 2595  e-mail: eic@scci.org.uk