Accessibility-related policy: Belgium

There are no regulations on this subject. At the level of Flanders, the establishment of support centres at the provincial level is planned that will lobby for an overall accessibility of information and services. No specific reference has been made to the accessibility of telecommunication. There are however some initiatives.

Agetree is an interactive design web site for senior citizens. The web site provides practical design guidelines for senior citizens. The web site can contribute to the successful development of innovative products for a growing market by placing the knowledge generated at the disposal of companies and product developers. Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde (Care for the Blind, Light and Love) has developed a web accessibility project.

The AT service delivery process in Belgium is quite complex. Numerous pieces of legislation deal with the delivery of services and AT to people with disabilities and also different systems of support are responsible for the provision of AT depending on the origin or cause of disability.

Services may vary from commune to commune. AT is paid for either through social insurance for people who become disabled after an accident at work. People over 65 only receive help to obtain basic AT (such as wheelchairs) which is generally financed by the municipality in which the person resides.

Community alarm services for elderly people are quite widely available and a number of services are available to visually impaired and deaf persons in Belgium.

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