EFHOH has joined a joint call led by European Disability Forum (EDF) together with disability organisations across Europe to urge the European Commission to strengthen accessibility obligations under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).

On the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a joint letter was sent to Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib calling for stronger and more effective accessibility requirements for audiovisual media services across the European Union.

The joint letter calls on the European Commission to:

  • strengthen Article 7 of the AVMSD to ensure all audiovisual media service providers continuously make their services accessible;
  • establish harmonised accessibility requirements across access services;
  • improve accessibility of video-sharing platforms, social media and online news platforms;
  • ensure accessible emergency information;
  • establish stronger monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.

The letter also raises concerns about the inconsistent implementation of accessibility measures across Member States, including gaps in subtitling obligations, limited availability of live subtitling and differences in the quality of accessibility services.

For hard of hearing people, equal access to audiovisual media is essential to access information, participate in democratic life, and enjoy culture on an equal basis with others.

EFHOH joins this call to support stronger accessibility obligations in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Articles 9 and 30 on accessibility and participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport.

The joint letter was signed by EDF, EFHOH, Inclusion Europe, European Union of the Deaf (EUD), and European Blind Union (EBU).

The full joint letter is available here.

Categories: Policy

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