3 December 2007
The European Commission (EC), the EU’s executive authority, have unveiled new measures to help people left behind by new media technologies in a bid to combat what is seen as a widening "digital divide."
The commission said that accessibility of websites, and other technologies remains problematic, with the lower-educated, poor and elderly at the greatest disadvantage.
Even though there have been significant technological advances, more than one in three Europeans are still unable to enjoy digital media. The EC's research found that progress in this area is fragmented and slow.
Only 10% of people aged 64 or over as Internet users, compared with the European average of 47%. In addition, only 5% of websites fully comply with European accessibility standards, creating additional hurdles for the 15% of the EU population with disabilities.
Viviane Reding, the EU Information Society and Media Commissioner said;
Progress has been only half as fast as it should be...in today's society, access to information by all citizens is a right as well as a condition for prosperity. It is neither morally acceptable nor economically sustainable to leave millions of people behind.
The commission estimated that benefits of €35 billion- €85 billion could be generated over five years if society would be made more inclusive, websites more accessible, and broadband made available to all EU citizens.
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