The European Design for All e-Accessibility Network, EDeAN, was formed in July 2002, in response to the Action Line goal of the eAccessibility initiative of the eEurope 2002 Action Plan: "To ensure the establishment and networking of national centres of excellence in Design for All and create recommendations for a European curriculum for designers and engineers".
EDeAN was created by the European Commission and member states in cooperation with the High Level Group for the Employment and Social Dimension of the Information Society, known as ESDIS, the eAccessibility Expert Group and the Directorate General for the Information Society (DG INFSO). In March 2002, an invitation for general membership was extended through an open call for Expression of Interest, which later resulted in the nomination and selection of national contact centres for each country involved.
EDeAN is responsible for reporting through the e-Accessibility Expert Group to the European Commission. The European Commission participates as an active observer in this network, via DG INFSO, and supports facilitation of the work, where possible.
The mission of the European Design for All e-Accessibility Network (EDeAN) is to help reach the eEurope objectives and to stimulate European network activities within the area of Design for All, with particular focus on ICT and e-Accessibility. EDeAN will also collaborate and liase with various relevant national, regional, European and international networks, organisations and projects.
EDeAN’s short-term objective is to contribute to recommendations for the development of European Design for All curricula for designers and engineers.
EDeAN’s longer-term objectives include the following:
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Contribute to and support the achievements of the eEurope objectives. |
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Support the design, implementation and evaluation of European Design for All curricula for designers, engineers and other relevant groups. |
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Promote and expand awareness of Design for All and e-Accessibility among producers, manufacturers and service providers, particularly in relation to digital developments within ICT. |
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Cooperate with all relevant national, regional, European and international networks, organisations and projects. |
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Provide the means and infrastructure for disseminating and exchanging information on Design for All to all interested parties. |
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Advise all interested parties with regard to procurement best
practices in relation to Design for All and e-Accessibility. |