WRITTEN QUESTION E-2044/02 by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission. Problems with Microsoft Office XP for visually impaired people.
Date: 2002-07-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, facilities for people with disabilities, information technology user, integration of people with disabilities, operating system, physically disabled person, working conditions

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/193

Within this target group, it is not known precisely what percentage of trainees are following sandwich
courses. The programme does not make any distinction between these trainees and young people
undergoing initial training in schools. The Commission believes that this group as a whole faces more
difficulties than students in going abroad for a lengthy period. There is the problem of the trainee’s
availability, but also the fact that this group is younger and has less freedom of action for going abroad.
A Leonardo da Vinci placement is often their first experience of working abroad.

The Leonardo da Vinci programme makes special provision for this target group by agreeing to fund
placements lasting three weeks, whereas students only receive grants for placements of at least three
months. Placements may involve travelling in groups. The daily allowance is a little higher than for
students. As with other trainees, the programme cofinances the running costs and the costs entailed in
preparing the trainees (particularly from the linguistic point of view). The total grant is around EUR 1 250
per placement.

Experience has shown that a well-organised placement, even if it is a short one, is of benefit to both
trainees and employers. The problem of the availability of young people on sandwich courses can best be
solved by the training establishment negotiating with the employer, and a period abroad being agreed on,
right at the start of an apprenticeship. The Leonardo da Vinci programme will then provide financial
support for trainees for the three weeks (or more) which they spend abroad.

(2002/C 309 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2044/02

by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 July 2002)

Subject: Problems with Microsoft Office XP for visually impaired people

Given the EU’s commitment to visually impaired people, please could the Commission explain how
Microsoft was not steered in a positive direction before the release of Microsoft Office XP?

What plans does the Commission have to encourage Microsoft to take into account the needs of customers
who are visually impaired?

Given the large number of visually impaired people employed by public sector organisations in the
Member States, what official IT policy will the EU have to ensure only accessible IT software is purchased
by these organisations?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(24 September 2002)

The Commission is not aware of particular problems experienced by visually impaired people with
Microsoft Office XP. The Commission notes that Microsoft is required to take into consideration US
government regulations, including section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, when developing products such
as Microsoft Office XP. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires US federal agencies to consider
accessibility before they purchase, procure and maintain new electronic and information technologies.

The eAccessibility target of the Action Plan for 2002 in the eEurope initiative aims to promote ‘Design for
all’ approaches in the use of
information technologies and in particular the adoption of the Web
Accessibility Initiative guidelines for public websites.

The Commission Communication (1) and the Council Resolution 7087/02 (2) encourage the Member States
to implement measures to achieve the objective of accessibility of public web sites. This may include the
use of suitable software to create accessible content, to improve existing web sites and to monitor
compliance as well as software used to access the web.

C 309 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.12.2002

The Council Resolution 292/02 on eInclusion calls on the Member States to remove barriers in the
information society by tackling technical barriers for people with different disabilities in terms of ICT
equipment and by promoting the development of specific software adapted to the particular needs of
disadvantaged groups.

(1) COM(2001) 529 final.
(2) Council Resolution 7087/02 of 20th March 2002 on: the eEurope Action Plan 2002: Accessibility of public web

sites and their content; OJ C 86, 10.4.2002.

(2002/C 309 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2048/02

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 July 2002)

Subject: Internal market

The main French farming organisations, the FNSEA and ‘Young Farmers’ have threatened wholesale
distribution in that country, demanding that French fruit be sold and no Spanish products be purchased.
Inter alia, they are monitoring sales outlets in France to ascertain that their demands are being met.

As a consequence of these measures, wholesale prices, especially for peaches and nectarines, have fallen
30 % compared with last year, causing the sector enormous losses.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

What steps will be taken to put an end to this problem? Within what timescale?

How will Spanish producers be compensated, in view of the fact that French farmers take some action of
this kind nearly every year?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2002)

The Commission is aware of the recent difficulties affecting the marketing of Spanish fruit and vegetables
in France as a result of intimidation and violence by French farming organisations.

As soon as the Commission became aware of this, it approached the French authorities to remind them of
their obligations in this respect under Articles 10 and 28 of the EC Treaty, as interpreted by the Court of
Justice in its judgment of 9 December 1997 in Case C-265/95 (1) and under Article 4 of Regulation (EC)
No 2679/98 (2) which provides that when an obstacle occurs, and subject to Article 2, the Member State
concerned is to take all necessary and proportionate measures so that the free movement of goods is
assured in its territory in accordance with the Treaty, and inform the Commission of the actions which its
authorities have taken or intend to take.

The French authorities have indicated that the destruction of Spanish fruit and vegetables on display in two
supermarkets was the result of riotous behaviour by demonstrators not following their unions’ instructions.
In addition to action to be taken by the police, the French authorities point out that the injured parties will
be able to claim damages under French law and that the demonstrations were not specifically targeted at
Spanish produce but more at malpractices by some supermarkets against the background of a slump in
sales of regional products.

The Commission will continue to closely follow developments in the fruit and vegetable marketing year in
France and has again contacted the French authorities to obtain more detailed information on what
measures have been taken against organised intimidation to give French products the advantage in
supermarket distribution.