M/587 - Accessibility

This document provides guidance to contracting authorities on how to determine contract award criteria to meet the accessibility requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act, EAA) and Directive (EU) 2016/2102 (Web Accessibility Directive, WAD); and on how to verify the conformance of publicly procured ICT products and services with these requirements. The present document describes how the accessibility requirements for the ICT should be specified, documented and assessed in the frame of the procurement process, under the EU public procurement directives1. The different mechanisms for conformity assessment with the applicable accessibility requirements are explained. It discusses how these mechanisms can be applied both in the pre-procurement research phase and when awarding a contract, as well as part of contract management in the post-award stage.
This document also provides a useful guidance for bidders who prepare an offer for public procurement of ICT products and services, and others aiming to procure accessible ICT.
Aspects that do not deal with accessibility in ICT procurement in Europe are outside the scope of this document.

This Technical Report (TR) provides guidance to contracting authorities on how to determine contract award criteria to meet the accessibility requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act, EAA) and Directive (EU) 2016/2102 (Web Accessibility Directive, WAD); and on how to verify the conformance of publicly procured ICT products and services with these requirements. The present document describes how the accessibility requirements for the procured ICT should be specified, documented and assessed in the frame of the procurement process, under the EU Public Procurement Directives1. The different mechanisms for conformity assessment with the applicable accessibility requirements are explained. It is discussed how these mechanisms may be applied both in the pre-procurement research phase and when awarding a contract, as well as part of contract management in the post-award stage. This Technical Report also provides a useful guidance for bidders who prepare an offer for public procurement of ICT products and services, and others aiming to procure accessible ICT.

This document specifies requirements and recommendations that can enable an organization to design, develop and provide products and services so that they can be accessed, understood and used by the widest range of users, including persons with disabilities.
This document specifies requirements and recommendations that can enable an organization to widen their range of users by identifying diverse needs, characteristics, capabilities, and preferences, by directly or indirectly involving users, and by using knowledge about accessibility in its procedures and processes.
This document specifies requirements that can enable an organization to meet applicable statutory and regulatory requirements as related to the accessibility of its products and services.
The requirements and recommendations set out in this document are generic and are intended to be applicable to all relevant parts of all organisations, regardless of type, size or products and services provided.
This document promotes accessibility following a Design for All approach in mainstream products and services and interoperability of these with assistive technologies.

This document describes functional requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment, following a "Universal Design"/"Design for All" approach which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users, including persons with disabilities. This document also describes performance requirements as applicable for an accessible and usable built environment.
The requirements and recommendations given in this document are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment.
These requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment are relevant to design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance, including outdoor pedestrian and urban areas.
NOTE 1   ‘Design for All’ and ‘Universal Design’ share a similar inclusive design philosophy. "Universal Design" means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. "Universal Design" does not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
NOTE 2   Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
NOTE 3   This document does not cover management and maintenance issues, but provides basic information in Annex B.
NOTE 4   All figures are provided as examples. They are described by their title and key and do not provide additional information. Some figures show negative examples to be avoided; these are identified by the insertion of a red cross on them. A list of all the figures included is this document is given in the informative Annex C.
NOTE 5   In the case of refurbishment or adaptations of existing buildings or infrastructures, a specific study including feasibility determines the extent to which the functional requirements and recommendations can be met.

This document specifies requirements and recommendations that can enable an organization to design, develop and provide products and services so that they can be accessed, understood and used by the widest range of users, including persons with disabilities.
This document specifies requirements and recommendations that can enable an organization to widen their range of users by identifying diverse needs, characteristics, capabilities, and preferences, by directly or indirectly involving users, and by using knowledge about accessibility in its procedures and processes.
This document specifies requirements that can enable an organization to meet applicable statutory and regulatory requirements as related to the accessibility of its products and services.
The requirements and recommendations set out in this document are generic and are intended to be applicable to all relevant parts of all organisations, regardless of type, size or products and services provided.
This document promotes accessibility following a Design for All approach in mainstream products and services and interoperability of these with assistive technologies.

This document describes functional requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment, following a "Universal Design"/"Design for All" approach which will facilitate equitable and safe use for a wide range of users, including persons with disabilities. This document also describes performance requirements as applicable for an accessible and usable built environment.
The requirements and recommendations given in this document are applicable across the full spectrum of the built environment.
These requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment are relevant to design, construction, refurbishment or adaptation, and maintenance, including outdoor pedestrian and urban areas.
NOTE 1   ‘Design for All’ and ‘Universal Design’ share a similar inclusive design philosophy. "Universal Design" means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. "Universal Design" does not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.
NOTE 2   Terms such as "design for all", "universal design", "accessible design", "barrier-free design", "inclusive design" and "transgenerational design" are often used interchangeably with the same meaning.
NOTE 3   This document does not cover management and maintenance issues, but provides basic information in Annex B.
NOTE 4   All figures are provided as examples. They are described by their title and key and do not provide additional information. Some figures show negative examples to be avoided; these are identified by the insertion of a red cross on them. A list of all the figures included is this document is given in the informative Annex C.
NOTE 5   In the case of refurbishment or adaptations of existing buildings or infrastructures, a specific study including feasibility determines the extent to which the functional requirements and recommendations can be met.