Welcome to EDeAN

The European Design for All e-Accessibility Network (EDeAN) was established in July 2002, in accordance with one of the specific goals of the eEurope 2002 Action Plan. The Action Plan was agreed on and committed to by the European Commission and all the member states.

One of the action points included in the plan was to “ensure the establishment and networking of national centers of excellence in design-for-all and create recommendations for a European curriculum for designers and engineers”. 

The goal of this action is to raise the profile of Design for All and emphasize its importance in achieving greater e-Accessibility.

The European Commission, via the DG on Information Society, retains an active advisory role in helping EDeAN fulfil the eEurope Action Plan. For more information about the Commission´s role, contact Ms. Inmaculada.Placencia-Porrero@cec.eu.int

EDeAN was primarily created to provide:

• input for European Curricula in Design for All
• a forum for Design for All issues
• idea sharing through joint activities such as conferences, symposia and exchanges of students and scholars.

EDeAN is also charged with fostering awareness  and promoting changes of culture in the public and private sectors. It will also establish links with appropriate education channels to embed Design for All best practices in new curricula.  Through a series of common activities and proposals, it is hoped that the network will become a cohesive group that can effectively work toward the advancement and excellence of Design for All.

There are already more than 100 organizations represented in the network and National Contact Centers (NCCs) have been Online Bingo selected in 15 countries throughout Europe. These organisations are already actively working with Design for All, e-Accessibility and Assistive Technology issues. EDeAN National Contact Centers form the primary nodes of this European network. Each NCC is also responsible for establishing national Design for All e-Accessibility networks in their own countries.

New members are still very welcome to join. Find a description of the membership qualification criteria and download the Membership Application Form, by clicking on the Membership Application Form in the navigation bar to the left

EDeAN is also actively cooperating with two projects receiving funding from the European Commission - IDCnet and D4AALLnet

For more information about EDeAN feel free to contact the EDeAN secretariat.  

Please check back again soon and follow along as the EDeAN website, network and discussions continue to expand!