[games_access] Fw: European accessibility act

[Ian Hamilton]

________________________________
From: Ian Hamilton <i_h at hotmail.com>
Sent: 17 December 2017 14:03
To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
Subject: European accessibility act


The EU have passed a directive aimed at standardising accessibility legislation across the all member countries. Up until now EU legislation on digital accessibility has only covered government/public sector, but the directive expands out into private sector products and services.


It hasn't actually been made law yet, and when it does there will be a 5 year compliance window to allow some time for people to get their ships in order. But it's at least an early heads-up on the direction things are moving in.


Part of it is very similar to CVAA, covering communications (relevant to games) and video (not relevant, applies strictly to TV programmes). There are other areas that may be relevant too; computers, with it not really being clear whether multipurpose devices such as the PS4 and XB1 are covered, and also e-commerce, which presumably would include in-game microtransactions.


The proposed act takes a very different approach to requirements. While CVAA is pretty open ended, requiring things like "a mode that doesn't require sight", the requirements in the proposed EAA (European Accessibility Act) are really specific, for example "when the product uses visual elements it shall provide for flexible magnification, brightness and contrast for communication, information and operation, as well as ensure interoperability with programmes and assistive devices to navigate the interface"


So while on one hand it's nice to have a clear target, on the other hand the requirements are pretty stringent, and don't always fit with how games work.


Another aspect - and point of difference with CVAA - is that there is  an exemption for micro-enterprises, defined as being either less than 10 people or with an annual turnover of less than €2m. If you meet either of those criteria, and if the aspect of what you're providing that falls under the act is a service rather than a product (e.g. games are products but are not covered, communication and e-commerce services are covered), then you're exempt from all requirements.


It's a hefty document, but skip ahead to page 72 for the information relevant to games, in particular the "user interface and functionality design" section starting on page 73 -


http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/12/07/accessibility-for-products-and-services-council-agrees-its-position/


Ian
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