Europe goes dotty: accessible labelling wins overwhelming support in European Parliament
29 June 2011
A record-breaking number of MEPs have signed a written declaration in the European Parliament to support accessible labelling. This marks an important milestone for blind, deafblind and partially sighted people, as the declaration calls on the European Commission to launch a wide consultation on the feasibility of introducing a voluntary system of labelling in braille and other accessible formats.
In the UK, a strong campaign was led by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Sense, working with partners in other EU countries such as the European Blind Union. The written declaration was formally adopted by the European Parliament in Brussels on 23 June. With a record breaking 447 signatures, including 39 UK MEPs, it is the most well supported written declaration in this Parliament, highlighting the institution’s commitment to fight the discrimination that blind, deafblind and partially sighted people experience when carrying out everyday tasks such as shopping.
European Blind Union President and RNIB Vice-President, Lord Low of Dalston says: “This is a landmark victory. I am delighted with the overwhelming support from UK MEPs. Access to information must be addressed, otherwise blind and partially sighted people have no independence, no choice, and no safety - the success of this written declaration puts the issue back on the EU agenda.”
Sue Brown, Head of Public Policy at Sense, says: "Thank you Europe for joining the dots! This is a terrific result for people with visual impairments. Deafblind people tell us that access to information is a huge barrier to their independence and clear braille labelling on product packaging will mean they can make more informed choices and safely use products in the home. We're now calling on the European Commission to ensure packaging in Europe's shop is fully covered in braille dots."
RNIB and Sense will continue to work with the European Parliament and other EU institutions to make sure that the right to access information becomes a reality for all blind, deafblind and partially sighted people.