Comments on: Governments warned not to “exclude millions” by legalising digital barriers http://www.headstar.com/eablive/?p=1133 Access to technology for all Sun, 01 Apr 2018 16:32:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 By: Anita Shelton http://www.headstar.com/eablive/?p=1133&cpage=1#comment-7042 Sun, 24 Apr 2016 23:27:10 +0000 http://www.headstar.com/eablive/?p=1133#comment-7042 The Glasgow Retired Members’ Branch of Unite the Union is one of many standing committees integral to the workings of the largest trade union in the United Kingdom. A guiding principle of Unite is “to promote equality and fairness for all, including actively opposing prejudice and discrimination on grounds of gender, race, ethnic origin, religion, class, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or caring responsibilities”.

It is, therefore, of serious concern to our Branch that exemptions to the EU Directive on the accessibility of public sector bodies’ websites are under consideration. As retired trade union member, the adoption of exemptions would severely limit equal access to information, thus increasing digital exclusion among demographic groups, especially including those affected by disability and/or economic disadvantage.

We write in strong support of the sentiments and opinions expressed by the 20 NGOs in their Open Letter to Ministers in charge of Digital Affairs in all EU member states, Chairs of National Parliament’s Committees in charge of Digital Affairs, and the Permanent Representatives of all EU member states. Further, we support their statement that “80 million persons with disabilities, and the 150 million older people, who live in the European Union [must] have equal access to the Digital Single Market and the online public services provided to citizens in the EU”. We must have nothing less.

Anita Shelton
Retired Members’ Lay Equality Officer
Glasgow Retired Members’ Branch
Unite the Union

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