{"id":6206,"date":"2025-08-15T15:24:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T13:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/handreiking\/article-laws-regulations\/"},"modified":"2025-10-03T11:24:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T09:24:44","slug":"article-laws-regulations","status":"publish","type":"handreiking","link":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/guideline\/article-laws-regulations\/","title":{"rendered":"Article | Laws\/regulations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wet-regelgeving.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a law book and scales of justice, symbol of law and justice.\" class=\"wp-image-2255 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;<em> Accessibility: not a choice but a duty<em>.<\/em><\/em>&#8220;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6206_cf2d9f-68 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6206_cf2d9f-68 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6206_cf2d9f-68 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id6206_cf2d9f-68 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}<\/style><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As an educational institution, you have a legal obligation to be accessible. The accessibility requirements and national decision-making assume that institutions will work systematically in the coming years to improve the accessibility of digital products and online systems. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The following legal frameworks apply<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wetten.overheid.nl\/BWBV0004045\/2016-07-14\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UN Convention:<\/a> states that people with disabilities should be able to participate fully in society. The government is responsible for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as are the higher education institutions. This includes the obligation to guarantee accessible education. (Private) providers of goods and services must ensure general accessibility for people with disabilities, in addition to individual adaptations. (June 14, 2016)    <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rijksoverheid.nl\/onderwerpen\/rechten-van-mensen-met-een-handicap\/gelijke-behandeling-mensen-met-beperking-of-chronische-ziekte\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Equal Treatment Disability\/Chronic Disease Act (WGBh\/cz)<\/a>: requires providers of goods and services to gradually ensure general accessibility for people with disabilities. This law requires institutions to make effective adjustments for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Only if the adaptations place a disproportionate burden on the school is the school not required to do so. To meet the requirements of the UN Convention on Disability, the WGBh\/cz was expanded on June 14, 2016 to include the provision of goods and services.   <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/CELEX_32019L0882_NL_TXT.pdf\">European Accessibility Act (EAA)<\/a> requires online products and services including websites to be digitally accessible (2025). This will unify legislation around digital accessibility across the European Union. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communicatierijk.nl\/vakkennis\/rijkswebsites\/verplichte-richtlijnen\/digitale-toegankelijkheid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">European standard EN 301 549<\/a> ensures accessibility of content for people with hearing\/visual impairments. This international standard mandates the definition of digital accessibility in national regulations and accessibility of digital channels in the public sector. This obligation applies to websites, apps, and intra- and extranet. This standard is the successor to the Web Guidelines.   <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/WCAG22\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/a> sets <a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/checklist-digitale-toegankelijkheid-wcag-2-2-succescriteria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">guidelines<\/a> for web content accessibility on desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile devices. The goal: more accessible content for a wide range of people with disabilities. WCAG is an integral part of the European standard EN 301 549. On Oct. 5, 2023, WCAG 2.2 was updated as a W3C Recommendation. All changes from the previous publication can be found in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/WAI\/standards-guidelines\/wcag\/new-in-22\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a W3C overview<\/a> and on the <a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/handreiking\/checklist-digitale-toegankelijkheid\/\">ECIO website<\/a>.    <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wetten.overheid.nl\/BWBR0040936\/2018-07-01\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Temporary Decree on Digital Accessibility for Government<\/a> requires government agency websites and mobile apps to meet accessibility requirements by 2021 according to a roadmap. The Dutch requirement for digital accessibility for government agencies came into effect in July 2018 under the title &#8220;Temporary Decree on Digital Accessibility for Government. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HPE\/UE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wetten.overheid.nl\/BWBR0005682\/2020-01-01\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Higher Education and Scientific Research Act (HRA)<\/a> calls attention to facilities that promote accessibility and studyability for students with disabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nvao.net\/nl\/procedures\/nederland\/accreditatie-bestaande-opleiding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NVAO: The accessibility and studyability of hbo\/wo<\/a> for students with disabilities is included in the NVAO&#8217;s Assessment Framework Accreditation System for Higher Education Netherlands. Within this framework it is examined to what extent the quality assurance system of institutions is sufficient to guarantee the quality of education for its students. Educational institutions are asked to account for their policy on studying with a disability and the facilities they offer, such as digital accessibility.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/handreiking\/zorgplicht-hogescholen-universiteiten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read more about the duty of care of colleges and universities here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">VET (vocational training)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Education and Vocational Education Act (WEB): this requires a positively completed BPV and a minimum number of BPV hours to obtain a diploma (articles 7.4.6 and 7.2.7). Deviation is possible for students with a disability or chronic illness, provided it is substantiated and the learning objectives are achieved. Exception applies for statutory vocational requirements. <a href=\"https:\/\/ingrado.nl\/kennisbank\/items\/servicedocument-onderwijstijd-in-het-mbo-in-relatie-tot-jongeren-met-extra-ondersteuningsbehoefte\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Deviation from the hour standards<\/a> is also possible at the program level, if quality remains guaranteed and the competent authority substantiates it. The legislative amendment strengthened the legal status of VET students and reduced administrative burdens, including the abolition of the written education agreement, with annual evaluation of extra support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appropriate Education Act: Appropriate education means the most appropriate place for every student. VET schools must take students with additional support needs into account when designing their education. With appropriate education, this means not only students with disabilities or chronic illnesses, but also students in special circumstances such as parenthood or informal care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is legal room to offer customized BPV. This can, for example, take the form of extra guidance, spreading the BPV period over the year, fewer hours and (physical) adjustments at the BPV location itself. As long as the student can show that the learning objectives are achieved, adjustments are possible (see WEB). In order to make adjustments, the school must be able to demonstrate that the student cannot follow the regular BPV route. This can be in the form of a statement from, for example, an expert. The law does not specify who may issue a declaration (Kennispunt MBO Passend Onderwijs, s.d.-b). The school may draw up its own policy for this. The declaration can therefore also come from, for example, a study career counselor or the examination board.       <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duty of care and BPV: an VET school has a duty of care for the quality of education, guidance and support. The institution must make every effort to help students, within their capabilities and commitment, meet the progress standards and complete the program successfully. If a student falls behind, the school must recognize this in a timely manner and propose concrete measures tailored to the student&#8217;s situation. The school must enable students to complete the program within the established length of study. If the BPV is not successful, the school must, for example, organize additional progress interviews or find a new placement, with appropriate guidance and active monitoring of progress. (Articles 7.2.9 paragraphs 1 and 2 and 7.2.7 paragraph 1 WEB).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/passendonderwijsmbo.nl\/publicaties\/servicedocumenten-bpv-en-passend-onderwijs\/#samenvatting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BPV Protocol<\/a>: The MBO Council, together with SBB, OCW, MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW, has drawn up a protocol containing binding agreements on professional practice. These cover the preparation, supervision and implementation of the BPV period and the responsibilities of student, school and learning company. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/passendonderwijsmbo.nl\/nieuws\/webinar-passend-examineren-bekijk-nu-de-faq\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Examination and assessment in the BPV<\/a>: a service document is available that provides frameworks and guidelines for how to legitimately examine profession-specific components. Important here is that the qualification requirements are safeguarded with the application of adjustments. The examination board is responsible for this and decides whether a requested adjustment can be honored. The examination board applies three criteria. A: Assess whether quality requirements are not met and explain which ones and why. B: The requested adjustment must remove the hindrance in the most adequate way. C: The adjustment must not place a disproportionate burden on the institution. The student may appeal the decision. Agreements on appropriate examinations are recorded in the diploma file.        <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Student rights and duties: a student is not required by law to disclose his or her medical history or disability in a resume or job interview. Employers may not ask about this unless the disability interferes with the performance of duties. In that case, the student must declare it. If this is not reported, the learning company may stop the BPV. It is important for the student to be open about required adjustments during the application process.    <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wetten.overheid.nl\/BWBR0007671\/2021-01-01\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Working Hours<\/a> and Ages: Students are subject to the same working hours during BPV as other employees in the department where the student is placed. These arrangements are laid down in the practice agreement. Working hours may not violate applicable occupational health and safety laws and regulations (including the Working Hours Act).  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Civil Code: <a href=\"https:\/\/wetboekplus.nl\/burgerlijk-wetboek-boek-6-artikel-170-aansprakelijkheid-voor-ongeschikten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Article 6:170<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/wetten.overheid.nl\/BWBR0005290\/2020-10-15\/#Boek7_Titeldeel10_Afdeling6_Artikel658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Article 7:658<\/a> of the Civil Code apply to all students who are interns. It describes the employer&#8217;s liability and the student&#8217;s liability as an intern. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ingrado.nl\/kennisbank\/items\/uitbreiding-servicedocument-delen-van-persoonsgegevens-tussen-onderwijs-en-zorg-met-arbeid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sharing information<\/a>: Sharing personal information requires careful consideration of what you are sharing and why. Even before and during BPV, data may be shared with a professional from another organization. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early school leaver: this concerns young people between 12 and 23 years of age; not enrolled at a school or not attending school for at least four weeks without a valid reason; not having a starting qualification (diploma at least VET level 2, havo or vwo). Young people with an entrance diploma or from practical education\/secondary special education in a labor market-oriented outflow profile are not early school leavers if they work on the basis of an employment contract (art. 8.3.1 WEB).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/knowledge-base\/?_filter_domein=digitale-toegankelijkheid\">Read more about digital accessibility here<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/knowledge-base\/?_filter_domein=fysieke-toegankelijkheid\">Read more about physical accessibility here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As an educational institution, you have a legal obligation to be accessible. The accessibility requirements and national decision-making assume that institutions will work systematically in the coming years to improve the accessibility of digital products and online systems. 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