The European Central Bank (ECB) presented the planned accessibility features of the application for the digital euro, which would allow users to access the basic services of this digital currency, if a decision is made on its introduction.
The ECB states that accessibility and user inclusion are among the core principles of the development of the digital euro, so that digital payments are accessible to citizens regardless of their abilities, needs or level of digital skills.
The proposed functions should exceed the requirements of the European Accessibility Act and relevant European standards, the ECB said.
The application should have an improved visual display, support for screen readers, full navigation using the keyboard, warnings before the timeout for the action, simplified language, mechanisms to prevent errors and the ability to reduce moving animations, reports Fena.
ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone said that the digital euro, like cash, would represent a public good and that in the digital age it would have to be available to every European under equal conditions.
The proposal was developed in cooperation with consumer organizations, accessibility experts and national central banks.
The features will be tested with people with disabilities, ECB employees and staff from 19 national central banks, to ensure a uniform and inclusive user experience across the eurozone.
The application is currently under development, and its testing is planned as part of the twelve-month digital euro pilot project, which should begin in the second half of 2027.
