Box 8. Promoting accessibility in the built environment in the European Union The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) adopts and sets European Standards and union-wide performance requirements to promote accessibility in the built environment. This involves inputs from the evaluation of policies and legislation, expert groups and professionals in the field. In fulfilling such obligations, the European Commission (EC) issued a mandate in 1999, which outlines guidance for developers on building accessible environments. In its 2000 Directive, the EC included articles on reasonable accommodation to enable a person with a disability to have access to or advance their participation in employment or further training. In a bid to enhance accessibility and sufficient provisions for persons with disabilities, the EC conducted an inventory assessment of accessibility standards in member countries in 2011. Despite clear examples of environmental accessibility provisions, gaps and weaknesses concerning functional accessibility remained. While there is no statistical data on accessibility of buildings for persons with disabilities in the majority of the European Countries presented, in France, only 15% of open to the ‘establishments public’ (ERP’s) complied with universal standards. In Sweden, 93% of the municipalities and County Council offices were equipped with hearing requirements which cover all or parts of the room where the council meets and there is also support for persons with cognitive disabilities in accessing and participating in meetings. Cost and benefits of accessibility Altering the standards and accessibility in buildings or public transport, and retrofitting existing infrastructure and facilities creates cost implications, making progress in accessibility a challenge in many countries. However, accessibility should be seen as an investment decision by governments, as the expected returns will be high compared to the
Box 8. Promoting accessibility in the built environment in the European Union The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) adopts and sets European Standards and union-wide performance requirements to promote accessibility in the built environment. This involves inputs from the evaluation of policies and legislation, expert groups and professionals in the field. In fulfilling such obligations, the European Commission (EC) issued a mandate in 1999, which outlines guidance for developers on building accessible environments. In its 2000 Directive, the EC included articles on reasonable accommodation to enable a person with a disability to have access to or advance their participation in employment or further training. In a bid to enhance accessibility and sufficient provisions for persons with disabilities, the EC conducted an inventory assessment of accessibility standards in member countries in 2011. Despite clear examples of environmental accessibility provisions, gaps and weaknesses concerning functional accessibility remained. While there is no statistical data on accessibility of buildings for persons with disabilities in the majority of the European Countries presented, in France, only 15% of ‘establishments open to the public’ (ERP’s) complied with universal standards. In Sweden, 93% of the municipalities and County Council offices were equipped with hearing requirements which cover all or parts of the room where the council meets and there is also support for persons with cognitive disabilities in accessing and participating in meetings. Cost and benefits of accessibility Altering the standards and accessibility in buildings or public transport, and retrofitting existing infrastructure and facilities creates cost implications, making progress in accessibility a challenge in many countries. However, accessibility should be seen as an investment decision by governments, as the expected returns will be high compared to the