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European Day of Persons with Disabilities

Written by Marie Lecerf,

On 3 December each year, the European Commission, together with the European Disability Forum, organises a conference to mark the European Day of Persons with Disabilities, and 2019 marks the 27th anniversary of this day. The conference brings together decision-makers, people with and without disabilities, experts, the media and other stakeholders. Alongside and in support of national policies, the European Union (EU) has introduced a series of initiatives, programmes and strategies to improve the situation of disabled people over a number of decades.

Statistics – Disability in the European Union

According to the latest available   data, in 2012, there were at least 70 million people aged 15 years and over with disabilities in the European Union (EU-27), corresponding to 17.6 % of the population aged 15 years and over. This share is likely to increase with an ageing population, given that people are more prone to develop disabilities with age.

First steps – ‘Equality of opportunity for people with disabilities’

In 1996, the European Commission published a communication entitled ‘Equality of Opportunity for People with Disabilities – A New European Community Disability Strategy’. Later on, an action programme to combat discrimination (2001-2006) was adopted to stimulate the introduction of specific measures to tackle discrimination. As an additional step, in May 2001, the European Commissioner for Social Affairs called on the European Council to dedicate the year 2003 to disabled people.

Legal basis – including disability in EU charters and treaties

As the EU paid closer attention to the situation of disabled people, the question of the legal basis on which it would introduce a genuine EU disability policy became increasingly important.

The European treaties enshrine the rights of persons with disabilities since 1997.. Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU, ex-Article 13 TEC) sets out that ‘in defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union shall aim to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation’.

Moreover, Article 26 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, proclaimed in Nice in December 2000, is dedicated to the professional and social integration of persons with disabilities. Having come into effect in 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon attributed the same legal value to the Charter as to the Treaties.

International dimension – the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was adopted on 13 December 2006. The convention is the first international legally binding instrument, which sets minimum standards for rights for people with disabilities and the first human rights convention to which the EU became a party.

By ratifying the UNCRPD in 2010, the EU associated itself with the efforts agreed at international level to guarantee the fundamental rights of disabled people. The measures taken in the Member States to guarantee compliance with the Charter must be guided by the need to enable disabled people to lead a normal life and be socially integrated on an equal level with others.

A strategy – the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020

To continue its activities, the EU published a new ‘European Disability Strategy 2010-2020′ to enable disabled people to enjoy their rights in full and to participate in society and the economy on an equal footing with others. It draws on the UNCRPD and complements the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The action plan covers eight areas: accessibility, participation, equality, employment, education, social protection and inclusion, health and external actions.

More and more EU initiatives and actions – assisting people with disabilities
  • The EU adopted a directive in November 2000 to promote equal treatment in employment and work. It recognises that the failure to provide ‘reasonable accommodation’ in the workplace could constitute discrimination;
  • After nine years of debate, the EU adopted a directive on transport in 2001, which obliges bus manufacturers to provide access for people with reduced mobility;
  • To encourage cities to improve accessibility, the European Commission presents annual awards to the most accessible cities;
  • A European disability card scheme is being piloted in eight Member States (Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Malta, Slovenia and Romania), and should enable persons with disabilities have better access to culture, sports and leisure;
  • The provisions of the Erasmus+ programme (2014-2020) promote disabled students’ mobility;
  • Disabled people also benefit from the Directive on cross-border healthcare;
  • The revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive encourages media service providers to ensure that their services gradually become accessible to people with a visual or hearing disability. The Directive on web accessibility, which seeks to make the websites of public sector bodies accessible to everybody, and the new Directive on the accessibility of goods and services are also key aspects in the promotion of accessibility for disabled people.
An advocate – the Disability Intergroup

The Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament is an informal grouping of Members of the European Parliament who are interested in promoting disability policy. Established in 1980, it is one of the oldest and largest intergroups in the European Parliament.

The Intergroup has been a key player in advocating for and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in the EU. This new legislature provides an opportunity for the Intergroup to maintain its instrumental position on the adoption of legislation favourable to persons with disabilities.

Further information

Information on disability is available in various European Parliament Think Tank publications. Further details concerning people with disabilities are available on the webpage of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and on the What Europe does for me website.

Categories: European Union

[Stakeholder] Ending HIV/AIDS: A tale of two Europes

Euobserver.com - Sun, 12/01/2019 - 00:10
World AIDS Day (Sunday 1 December) is both a time to celebrate the advancements across western Europe and a time for decisive action to address disparities in HIV care in eastern Europe and central Asia.
Categories: European Union

Weekly schedule of incoming European Council President Charles Michel

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Weekly schedule of incoming European Council President Charles Michel 1-8 December 2019
Categories: European Union

European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): Council agrees on amendments to EIT regulation

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
The Council today agreed on amendments to the regulation on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
Categories: European Union

Indicative programme - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 3 December 2019

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.
Categories: European Union

Indicative programme - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport) of 2 December 2019

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.
Categories: European Union

Indicative programme - Justice and Home Affairs Council of 2 and 3 December 2019

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.
Categories: European Union

Speech by incoming European Council President Charles Michel at the handover ceremony with the outgoing President Donald Tusk

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
During the handover ceremony, incoming European Council President Charles Michel thanked outgoing President Donald Tusk for his work during his mandate expiring on 30/11/2019.
Categories: European Union

Speech by European Council President Donald Tusk at the handover ceremony with the incoming President Charles Michel

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
In his handover speech in front of press and Council staff, President Donald Tusk looked back at the main challenges of his term in office.
Categories: European Union

EULEX Kosovo: new Head of Mission for the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Lars-Gunnar Wigemark appointed as Head of Mission of EULEX KOSOVO until 14 June 2020.
Categories: European Union

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al- Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1721 of 14 October 2019 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al- Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.
Categories: European Union

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1722 of 14 October 2019 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.
Categories: European Union

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries with Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against the Republic of Guinea

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1790 of 24 October 2019 amending Decision 2010/638/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the Republic of Guinea
Categories: European Union

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1663 of 1 October 2019 amending Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya.
Categories: European Union

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1788 of 24 October 2019 amending Decision (CFSP) 2015/1763 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi.
Categories: European Union

Space solutions for a sustainable Arctic : Council adopts conclusions

European Council - Sat, 11/30/2019 - 12:38
The Council today adopted conclusions on the role of space-based services in ensuring a sustainable Arctic region.
Categories: European Union

[Ticker] Report: Malta PM Muscat set to resign

Euobserver.com - Fri, 11/29/2019 - 17:38
Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat has voiced his intention to resign after the political and legal crisis stemming from the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Times of Malta reported on Friday. The paper reported that Muscat visited president George Vella on Friday morning when he seems to have given notice of his intention to quit. This week, two ministers and Muscat's chief of staff also resigned.
Categories: European Union

[Ticker] Trial opens into Romania's 1989 revolution deaths

Euobserver.com - Fri, 11/29/2019 - 17:19
A trial over the deaths of 862 people during the 1989 anti-communist revolution in Romania started on Friday at the High Court of Justice in Bucharest, the daily BalkanInsight reported. The former Romanian president Ion Iliescu, former deputy prime minister Gelu Voican Voiculescu and former air force head Iosif Rus are accused of crimes against humanity, since they allegedly used security agencies to cause a generalised mood of terror.
Categories: European Union

[Ticker] Police shoot man after 'terror-related' stabbings in London

Euobserver.com - Fri, 11/29/2019 - 17:06
British police shot dead a man on Friday after a series of stabbings in the London Bridge area, the Guardian reported. "We believe a number of people have been injured," police said. "I'm being kept updated on the incident at London Bridge and want to thank the police and all emergency services for their immediate response," prime minister Boris Johnson said in a statement.
Categories: European Union

Health campaigners praise Finnish presidency’s focus on well-being

Euractiv.com - Fri, 11/29/2019 - 16:59
Finnish presidency approach on the economy of wellbeing was a milestone for a successful reorientation of health services towards a multisectoral approach in designing, building and delivering people-centred care, said Anna Żakowicz, Director of Programs at AHF Europe.
Categories: European Union

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