In a ministerial meeting that took place in Riga on 12 June 2006, ministers from European countries have signed a declaration to diminish the gap in Internet usage for groups at risk of exclusion, but also to increase broadband coverage.

The Riga Ministerial Declaration was signed by ministers of 34 European countries from EU Member States, accession and candidate countries, and EFTA/EEA countries. The declaration shows the commitment of the countries to an "Internet for all" action plan that should allow the disadvantaged groups to access the Internet.

One of the conclusions of the meeting was the necessity to assess the need for legislative measures in the field of e-Accessibility, and to take into account accessibility requirements in the review of the electronic communications regulatory framework beginning in June 2006. Another suggestion was to make recommendations, by 2007, on accessibility standards and common approaches, which could become mandatory in public procurement by 2010.

Data from the European Commission have shown that only about 3% of public web sites fully comply with minimum web accessibility standards - a real problem for the 15% of the EU population with disabilities. According to a recent research by Disability Rights Commission (DRC), 81% of web sites in the UK are inaccessible to disabled people.

Ministers in Riga also supported the European Commission's intention to prepare for the European e-inclusion initiative announced for 2008 in the "i2010" strategy, the digital economy component of the EU's renewed "Lisbon" agenda for jobs and growth.

Internet for all: EU ministers commit to an inclusive and barrier-free information society (12.06.2006)
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/769&...

EU may make accessibility a legal requirement (15.06.2006)
http://uk.builder.com/webdevelopment/design/0,39026630,39317017,00.htm