What is the European Design for All e-Accessibility Network EDeAN

The European Design for All e-Accessibility Network - EDeAN is a network of 160 organisations in European Union member states. The goal of the network is to support all citizens' access to the Information Society. EDeAN provides:

• a European forum for Design for All issues, supporting EU's e-inclusion goals
• awareness raising in the public and private sectors
• online resources on Design for All

The European Design for All e-Accessibility Network (EDeAN) was established in 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.
The goal of this action is to raise the profile of Design for All and emphasize its importance in achieving greater e-Accessibility.

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 also aims to 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 160 organizations represented in the network and National Contact Centres (NCCs) have been selected in 23 countries throughout Europe. These organisations are already actively working with Design for All, e-Accessibility and Assistive Technology issues.

For more information about EDeAN feel free to contact the EDeAN secretariat (2010):

Dónal Rice
Senior Design Advisor, ICT
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
NDA
25 Clyde Road,
Dublin 4
Ireland

Tel: + 353 (0)1 608 0430

Email: secretariat@edean.org
Web: http://www.universaldesign.ie

The European Commission, via the Directorate General "Information Society", retains an active advisory role in helping EDeAN fulfil the eEurope Action Plan. For more information about the Commission's role, please visit the IST web from CORDIS at: http://cordis.europa.eu/ist/ 

THE HERMES platform

HERMES is the virtual networking platform of EDeAN. HERMES aims to provide the necessary Internet-based communication tools to carry out the various activities of EDeAN and to enable systematic cooperation amongst EDeAN network members. The mechanisms provided by the tool form the basis for virtual networking, and for storing and retrieving information and knowledge in the context of EDeAN.
Appropriate virtual networking mechanisms targeted towards information and knowledge sharing, on-line discussions, viewpoint expression, and exchange of experience in the course of e-meetings are used. The platform utilises the necessary mechanisms to operate at different levels (SIG formation and operation, setting of rules, moderation, agendas, contributions, virtual meetings, etc) in order to encourage and facilitate membership, participation and interaction between SIG members. HERMES is compliant with W3C-WAI - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (support level AAA), thus rendering the provided integrated applications accessible by people with disabilities.

ARIADNE Resource Centre

The purpose of the Resource Centre is to compile a knowledge base on DfA, including the consolidated outcomes of the SIGs, and any other means that can facilitate the application and implementation of DfA knowledge into effective work practices.

A broad range of information, such as results of SIG work, case studies, information about national or international projects related to DfA, best practice reports, design tools, benchmarking tools and results, product assessment reports, and various publications are available. It is hoped that, when fully completed, the Resource Centre will act as a focal point in Europe for the dissemination of current knowledge and best practice.

HERMES and ARIADNE are developed by FORTH-ICS and supported in the context of the EC-funded DfA@eInclusion Coordination Action (January 2007- December 2009), for EDeAN.

Contact EDeAN - Secretariat 2010

Get in touch! If you have any questions, queries or comments regarding EDeAN contact the Secretariat.
The EDeAN Secretariat rotates annually. In 2010 the secretariat is based in Ireland, at the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority, the national contact centre for the Irish Design for All network.