"Accessible services for all" - Draft for people with disabilities, fines for businesses up to 5 million lekë
A new draft law on the inclusion and accessibility of persons with disabilities has been submitted for public consultation by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The initiative aims to establish unified rules for access to goods and services, defining concrete obligations for both public institutions and economic operators.
The core of the draft law is to guarantee the equal participation of persons with disabilities in social, economic and cultural life. According to the report, the aim is to eliminate barriers that hinder the use of products, services, technology and information.
The draft law foresees new requirements for a range of products used in everyday life. The list includes computers and operating systems, payment terminals, ATMs, ticket machines, interactive information terminals, electronic communications devices, devices for accessing audiovisual media and e-readers.
Accessibility rules are also foreseen for services important to citizens. These include electronic communications, online and digital services, e-commerce, banking services, passenger transport, as well as platforms and services related to e-books and audiovisual media.
In the case of transport, the requirements relate, among other things, to websites and mobile applications, electronic tickets, travel information, including real-time information, and interactive self-service terminals.
According to the draft law, goods must be designed and manufactured in such a way that they can be used as much as possible by people with disabilities, on an equal basis with others. Even packaging and instructions for use must be accompanied by accessible elements.
For services, providers will have to provide accessible information on the functions, policies and procedures of the service, while the premises where the service is provided must comply with accessibility criteria. An exception is foreseen for micro-enterprises that provide services.
An important aspect of the draft law relates to supervision and sanctions. In case of violation of obligations, economic operators may face fines of up to 5 million lek or, for commercial companies, up to 0.1% of the total annual turnover achieved in the previous financial year, whichever is higher.
The draft law is not limited to access to products and services. According to the draft, people who need help in decision-making will be able to receive support from a trusted individual or group of individuals.
Likewise, the person with disabilities is expected to have the right to choose and, according to the way the service is organized, to instruct and supervise the personal assistant.
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