State of the Union for 80 Million Europeans with Disabilities

European Disability Forum (EDF) President Yannis Vardakastanis met President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek to examine several key disability issues — Brussels, 18 November 2010. The most important outcome of the meeting was the agreement to have the State of the Union on disability. This would be a high-level meeting every two years with the President of the European Council, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission and the disability movement. It will examine the progress that has been made on the rights of persons with disabilities on an inter-institutional level.

The Parliament involvement in the implementation of the UN Convention

The meeting was a great opportunity for EDF to discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD), and the role the European Parliament can play.

President Jerzy Buzek stressed that as the main institution with closer contacts with the European citizens, the European Parliament should continue on as a role model. Besides, the European Parliament is participating actively on the impact assessment of the UN Convention and has been a leader among EU institutions.

Mr Jerzy Buzek said: “The UN Convention is a landmark Treaty, and the EU ratification will have a great impact on the institutional and legal framework. Binding regulations will have to follow it.” An Inter-institutional Working Group has been set up for impact assessment and for making recommendations on where action needs to be taken in order to fully implement the Convention. All three institutions play an equal part in this Working Group and all of them will come out with a report at the end of December.

More must be done to ensure that barriers are removed in its premises, to make information accessible to citizens with disabilities, and to ensure that more persons with disabilities are employed. He ensured EDF that in the EP, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee will lead to monitor the implementation of the Convention at policy level.

The State of the Union and the European Parliament of persons with disabilities

In addition, the EU Disability Strategy was discussed, in order to ensure that disability remains at the top of the agenda. As agreed earlier this year with President of the European Council Mr Herman Van Rompuy, Mr Jerzy Buzek fully supports the proposal for a meeting between EDF and the Presidents of the three EU Institutions: the State of the Union on Disability every two years.

EDF offered a proposition regarding the next European Year of persons with disabilities. EDF President suggested that the European Parliament explore the possibility of holding the European Parliament of disabled people for a third time in 2012 as a follow up of the EU ratification of the UN Convention.

EDF President Yannis Vardakastanis concluded: “The European Parliament has associated itself with many important developments. We are counting on its renewed support in the challenges that are awaiting us on the implementation of the UN Convention”.

Background

The European Disability Forum is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 80 million Europeans with disabilities. EDF membership includes national umbrella organisations of disabled people from all EU/EEA countries, as well as European NGOs representing the different types of disabilities, organisations and individuals committed to disability issues. The mission of the European Disability Forum is to ensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.

Read more about the EDF meeting with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy earlier this year

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