# Recital (80)

As signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Union and the 
Member States are legally obliged to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination and promote their equality, 
to ensure that persons with disabilities have access, on an equal basis with others, to information and 
communications technologies and systems, and to ensure respect for privacy for persons with disabilities. Given the 
growing importance and use of AI systems, the application of universal design principles to all new technologies and 
services should ensure full and equal access for everyone potentially affected by or using AI technologies, including 
persons with disabilities, in a way that takes full account of their inherent dignity and diversity. It is therefore 
essential that providers ensure full compliance with accessibility requirements, including Directive (EU) 2016/2102 
of the European Parliament and of the Council (38) and Directive (EU) 2019/882. Providers should ensure 
compliance with these requirements by design. Therefore, the necessary measures should be integrated as much as 
possible into the design of the high-risk AI system.

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Source: Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act) as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/1744, consolidated text of 27 July 2026 (Official Journal of the EU). This page is AI-generated legal information, not legal advice. Verify against the Official Journal.
Canonical: https://euaiactlaw.com/recital/80