Challenge

Digital technologies can improve access to employment, public services, healthcare and independent living. However, older people, people with disabilities and other groups at risk of exclusion may face inaccessible technologies, limited digital skills or insufficiently inclusive services. Differences between national policies and practices also make successful approaches difficult to identify and apply across Europe.

Solutions

eInclusion@EU conducted a Europe-wide analysis of policies, research and practical initiatives across three areas: eAccessibility; access to employment and reskilling; and access to online public services such as eGovernment, eLearning and eHealth. It identified good practices and developed recommendations for realistic policy strategies and implementation measures.

The project also organised thematic workshops that connected policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders. These discussions supported the exchange of experience and helped shape better-coordinated research and policy approaches at European and national levels.

Results

eInclusion@EU established an empirical knowledge base to support policymaking and proposed practical directions for strengthening digital participation and accessibility. Its work covered the entire EU through project partners and national correspondents, with particular attention given to older people, people with disabilities and chronically ill citizens.

By making successful policies and initiatives more visible, the project promoted learning between countries and strengthened dialogue between research and policy communities. It also contributed to longer-term European coordination aimed at ensuring that more citizens can participate in and benefit from the Information Society.