MeAC – Measuring Progress of eAccessibility in Europe

Policy approaches based on equality / anti-discrimination legislation have considerable potential in the eAccessibility field. Such approaches can provide people with disabilities – individually or collectively – with a right to seek redress if they are confronted with inaccessible ICT equipment or services, either in relation to ICT-based goods and services in a general sense or in relation to specific usage contexts.

Legislation/regulations

The Latvian constitution provides that all persons shall be equal before the law and that human rights shall be observed without discrimination of any kind. The amendment to the constitution passed in 1998 sets out the concept of ‘equal rights for all’ which has relevance for eAccessibility.

Goods and services equality

Protection against discrimination in the provision of goods and services is an area that is not covered specifically by Latvian anti-discrimination legislation, though the constitutional concept of ‘equal rights for all’ could apply.

Employment equality

The Labour Law provides the specific legal framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. Anti-discrimination criteria with regard to the employment and occupation of particular groups of the population, including disabled people, are included in this law. However, it is not clear whether the law requires reasonable accommodation. The law includes amendments up to 07.05.2004 and it is indicated that it takes into account international laws and rules compulsory for Latvia. Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 should be taken into account in amendments, though the Directive 2000/78/EC is not mentioned in the law. There is no specific reference to eAccessibility issues in the law.

Education

There is no specific policy on eAccessibility related to education, though there is a national programme on Information and Communications Technologies for Education Quality 2007-2013 and this makes reference to including socially excluded groups including people with special needs.

Impacts – cases and other activity

There do not appear to be any relevant cases or other activity.

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