EURORDIS, European Disability Forum, and others call for a more inclusive future for Europeans with disabilties
Ahead of the 2024 European Elections, delegates of the 5th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities, including representatives from EURORDIS, are calling upon EU institutions to guarantee and fulfil the rights of EU citizens with a disability.
Convened by the European Disability Forum (EDF), the Parliament brought together over 700 advocates, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss the rights of persons with disabilities and set the community’s political agenda. Together, they adopted the EDF’s Manifesto, which identifies a number of proposals in line with this year’s theme of “Building an inclusive future for persons with disabilities in the EU,” such as:
- Guaranteeing the participation of persons with disabilities in the political and public life of the EU;
- Specific measures to realise the rights enshrined in the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) for those at higher risk of exclusion, including people living with rare diseases;
- The EU to provide guidance and support to Member States to improve disability assessment methods, making sure that no one is left behind when accessing social protection and independent living schemes;
- Support to the development of a range of person-centred support services in communities for independent living;
- The introduction of measures to support families of persons with disabilities, notably those who act as informal carers.
The protection of rights and improved support for persons living with disabilities is an important concern for the rare disease community, as it is made up of people with a range of diverse and complex disabilities. In EURORDIS’ statement supporting the Manifesto, Social Policy and Initiatives Director Raquel Castro reiterated the essential nature of these proposals for ensuring all Europeans with disabilities, including those with rare diseases, can live independently and fully participate in society.
For those interested, a recording of the full 2023 EPPD is available here.
