MeAC – Measuring Progress of eAccessibility in Europe

Legislation/regulations

Article 72 of the equal opportunities law (Law n°2005-102) provides for the establishment of a national centre for processing phone calls from persons with hearing impairments. Persons with auditory impairments will be able to access emergency communications services, such as calling fire services, police, medical assistance, etc. A decree is being prepared for the creation of this centre.

The Electronic Post and Communication E-services Code (a legislative compilation of many laws and regulations) imposes general obligations in relation to telecoms accessibility for disabled people, particularly in Article L35-1 §4. The National Authority for Electronic Communications and Post Services or the National Council for Radio and Television may have some responsibility for following up on these measures, but the mechanisms are not clear. The Code apparently mentions provision of equipment and tariff supports.

Under the Decree no. 99-162 of 8th of March 1990, ‘social’ tariffs have been defined in order to facilitate access to telecommunications services for disabled people. This decree imposed obligations on the Universal Service Provider to implement social tariffs.

However, it is not fully clear how France has transposed the accessibility aspects of the EU universal service and other telecoms directives. It is also unclear how the equal opportunities law might impose obligations or make other provisions in relation to telecoms accessibility for disabled people.

Other initiatives

Some private operators provide accessible services which appear to be part of their commercial policy.

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