The European Accessibility Law came into force, which requires adapting essential products and services, such as multibanco terminals, computers, public transport and digital platforms, to the needs of citizens with disabilities. The measure applies to new equipment and services from the entry into force, and aims to ensure full accessibility throughout the European Union to the ATM, and beyond. It is estimated that there are more than 100 million people with disabilities in the EU, representing about 27% of the population over 16 years old.
One of the most visible changes will occur at the ATM terminals. Equipment installed from this date should include features that allow their use by visually or motor people. Examples of these improvements are the increase in letter size, Braille or relief keyboards, more intuitive voice commands and screens.
According to ZAP, the measure derives from the European Accessibility Act (EAA), approved in 2019 and transposed for Portuguese legislation through Decree-Law No. 82/2022. This new legislation applies to a wide range of products and services, both physical and digital, with the aim of ensuring a more inclusive experience.
Scope goes far beyond automatic boxes
Among the equipment covered, and in addition to the ATM, includes computers, smartphones, tablets and their operating systems. The law also applies to televisions with integrated digital services, electronic book readers and automatic ticket sales kiosks.
In the services, public transport, banking services, electronic communications, e -commerce, mobile applications, multimedia and audiovisual platforms are covered. The goal is to ensure that any citizen, regardless of their degree of functionality, can access autonomously to everyday products and services.
Although the terminals already operating may remain operational, operators will have a 20 -year period to adapt to new requirements. This moratorium also applies to other equipment prior to the entry into force of the standard.
Manufacturers, importers and providers with reinforced responsibilities
The new legislation imposes different duties on different market agents. Manufacturers are responsible for developing products that respect accessibility requirements from the design phase. Importers have to ensure that products entering the European market are in accordance with the new standards.
Service providers are required to implement accessible measures continuously, ensuring that the information provided is clear, readable and adapted to different user profiles. This obligation also extends to customer support and digital contact channels.
The EAA proposal was presented by the European Commission in 2015 and approved by the European Parliament in 2019. Since then, Member States have had to adjust their national legislation. Portugal formally integrated these standards by 2022.
101 million Europeans with disabilities benefit directly
According to Eurostat, about 27% of the European Union population over 16, equivalent to 101 million people, lives with some kind of disability. For these citizens, obstacles to access to digital or physical services represent a form of social exclusion.
By harmonizing legal requirements between EU countries, the new diploma aims to ensure that the same accessibility conditions apply in Lisbon, Paris or Berlin. Equal access thus becomes an effective and uniform right at European level.
The spirit of the legislation is also aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which Portugal has ratified in 2009. The bet on a more inclusive society is now part of the legal obligations of public and private companies.
Emergency services with special term by 2027
Despite the immediate entry into force of most measures, on June 28, some exceptions are planned. Emergency services, such as 112, will have until June 28, 2027 to meet the accessibility requirements required by the new European regime.
Alternative communication, such as text messages or gamblers with gestural language interpretation, should be available to those who can’t use the traditional phone. This reinforcement is essential to ensure the right to security in critical situations.
According to this new law, the European Union takes a significant step to reduce the barriers of everyday life. Inclusion is legally integrated in sectors that so far functioned based on conventional standards and little adapted to the diversity of the population.
Also read:
