European Industry Association for Digital Assistive Technology

EU Legislative Interests

DATEurope’s influencing activities are directed at the following EU legislative instruments and policy frameworks: • Directive (EU) 2019/882 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (European Accessibility Act – EAA), including its transposition into national law and the development of implementing measures and harmonised standards, in particular EN 301 549 (ICT Accessibility Standard). • Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (Web Accessibility Directive). • Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI Act), specifically provisions relevant to the use and deployment of AI-powered assistive technologies. • The European Disability Strategy 2021–2030 and its associated action plan, including targets relating to assistive technology access and funding. • Regulation (EU) 2025/327 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2025 on the European Health Data Space (EHDS), insofar as it affects digital health and assistive technology interoperability. • EU standardisation policy as it relates to ICT accessibility, including mandates to CEN/CENELEC and ETSI.

Communication Activities

DATEurope engages in a range of communication activities related to the EU policies and legislative instruments identified above: • Annual OGM and Members Day – DATEurope holds an annual Ordinary General Meeting and Members Day at which EU accessibility and assistive technology policy is a central agenda item. The 2024 event was hosted at Microsoft UK (London, April 2024), bringing together approximately 50 members from across Europe, and included the launch of DATEurope’s research report on funding for digital assistive technology across European member states. The 2026 OGM and Members Day is scheduled for 7–8 May 2026 in Málaga, Spain. • DATForum 2025 – In April 2025, DATEurope hosted the inaugural DATForum in Paris (2–3 April, FIAP conference centre), attracting over 100 participants from across the European digital assistive technology industry. The event featured sessions on EU public funding models for digital AT, the implications of the European Accessibility Act for the sector, and the future role of digital AT in European disability and health policy. Speakers included Inmaculada Placencia-Porrero, Senior Expert in Disability and Inclusion at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DGEASI), and Hector Minto, Director of Commercial Accessibility at Microsoft. • Policy Working Group – In October 2024, DATEurope launched a standing Policy Working Group with the explicit aim of identifying barriers to digital AT provision in Europe and making recommendations to EU policymakers on steps to increase access for persons with disabilities. • UN COSP submission (2024) – In June and July 2024, DATEurope board members made submissions to the UN Conference of States Parties (COSP) in New York, advocating for explicit commitment to digital AT access within the Global Digital Compact, and participated in meetings with AAATE and GAATO on barriers to digital AT uptake. • Sector events – DATEurope maintains an active presence at major European AT sector events including REHACARE (Düsseldorf, September 2024 and 2025), where 20 member companies exhibited across a 200 sqm joint stand, and ATIA (Orlando, January 2025), where DATEurope presented research on the case for provision of digital AT in Europe. • DATMatters campaign – DATEurope runs an ongoing DATMatters communications campaign, sharing case studies on the impact of digital AT via LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Bluesky to raise awareness among EU policymakers and stakeholders. • Publications – DATEurope has produced research publications including a 2024 report on funding for digital AT across European member states, which found significant inconsistencies in national policy frameworks and funding mechanisms — findings shared with policymakers to inform EU-level policy development.

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Organisation Members

A full list of DATEurope’s current member organisations is available at: https://dateurope.com/members/ DATEurope’s membership comprises over 70 organisations from 24+ countries across Europe, including commercial developers, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers of digital assistive technology, as well as national assistive technology industry associations. Members include both active members (with voting rights) and associated members.