LEAD-ME started on October 1st and will run for 4 years.
During the Kick-off meeting, representatives from 24 EU countries
voted in the chair Pilar Orero of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,
and vice chair, Robin Ribback from IPmedia.
Hello, my name is Pilar Orero
I work at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Spain,
and I will be the chair of the new COST project LEAD-ME.
I am 60 years of age, I’m well built,
I have gray hair and I am standing in my patio in Barcelona.
LEAD-ME aims to help all stakeholders in Europe in the field of Media Accessibility,
and related topics -such as AI and Interactive Technologies
to meet the legal milestones requested by the recently passed European legislation.
Researchers, engineers, scholars, along with businesses and policy makers
will be empowered by LEAD-ME with a common and unique platform.
During the next 48 months, this platform will collect, create, disseminate
and promote innovative technologies and solutions and best practices and guidelines.
In turn, it will contribute towards existing and new standards on Media Accessibility
among 28 European or associated countries.
To do this, the LEAD-ME network will make the most of the the COST Action tools
though meetings, working group meetings, educational institutes
short-term scientific missions and dissemination activities to name a few.
LEAD-ME will boost a cultural change and a new mindset which will prompt the design
of tools for professional and private activities for all European citizens,
of all abilities and disabilities.
This COST Action is crucial to avoid further fragmentation in the European accessibility scene
and challenges the European Single Digital Market idea.
The uneven take-up in Europe is the direct result of the complex nature of Media,
the ever-changing background technology involved and its business models,
and wealth of EU languages.
Welcome to the Leading Platform for European Citizens, Industries,
Academia and Policymakers in Media Accessibility.