The concept of electronic accessibility refers to the possibility of using IT systems and electronic information in any form by everyone, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly.
Specific techniques to facilitate PWDs (e.g. ramps designed with an appropriate slope to cover height differences, corridors with appropriate length, elevators with door and car width suitable for use by people in wheelchairs, etc.), were used to first time in architectural design. Accordingly, and in the design of web services there are internationally recognized technical construction specifications (e.g. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) that make it possible to access the Internet by people who operate their computer with special switches, Braille displays, voice, or other solutions assistive technology. Also, compliance with these specifications contributes to easier access for all citizens to information and services offered via the Internet (eg when the Internet connection is slow or the browser used is of an older generation).
With the aim of combating electronic social exclusion, the provision for free access of all citizens to the Information Society has been constitutionally enshrined (Article 5A) in Greece. In addition, some basic Community directives concerning the use of information in electronic form by PWDs have already been incorporated into National Law. In practice, however, it appears that access to the growing number of available online services is becoming increasingly difficult for PWDs. Based on a recent research by the Center for Universal Access and Supportive Technologies of the ΙΠ-ΕΤΕ, published in the journal Universal Access in the Information Society, where the course of the electronic accessibility index of the Greek Internet is reflected in the period 2004-2008, a very limited adoption of construction solutions is observed that facilitate access for people with disabilities. According to the results of the electronic accessibility assessment carried out in 2008 on a sample of 257 Greek websites of various categories, mainly of a public nature (e.g. public administration, libraries, hospitals, organizations) but also in some cases of the private sector (e.g. banks, e-commerce):
1. 85% percent of them were found not to meet the absolutely basic accessibility requirements.
2. The 14% is satisfactorily accessible for the disabled,
3. and only 1% of these can be considered fully accessible for people with disabilities.
These data, compared to those of the 2004 period on approximately the same sample of websites, show that the percentage of inaccessibility shows increasing trends, given that the corresponding percentages were then 73%, 25% and 1%.
The very low rates of accessibility of online services in Greece have a direct impact on the PWD population, as they are still unable to take advantage of the benefits offered by technological progress. In order to improve the accessibility of the Greek Internet, an effort should be made by all involved, in order for the development of digital services to take into account the relevant design principles and construction techniques from the very first stages, avoiding the large costs that may arise from any subsequent interventions.