EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024
The European Parliament adopted by 490 votes to 9, with 109 abstentions, a resolution on the EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024.
Implementation of the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030
While noting that the 2021-2030 strategy addressed most of the shortcomings identified in the 2010-2020 European strategy for people with disabilities, Parliament called on the Commission to put forward a common EU-wide definition of ‘disability’ in line with the UNCRPD, to help ensure that all EU citizens with all kinds of disabilities are granted equal rights.
Parliament stressed that, across Europe, persons with disabilities – particularly women and girls with disabilities and persons with high support needs – still face considerable barriers when it comes to respect for their fundamental rights.
Furthermore, continued efforts are needed to address the remaining gaps in the free movement of people with disabilities and the mutual recognition of their rights across the EU.
To achieve the Union's objective of reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million, it is necessary to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities. The Commission and Member States are invited to address the problem of the disproportionate underrepresentation of people with disabilities in the labour market by introducing specific measures.
Parliament is concerned that, despite progress at the strategic level, people with disabilities are being left behind in many aspects, continue to face exclusion in various areas, and are often deprived of the equal access to everyday freedoms and mobility enjoyed by other EU citizens, such as their right to full political participation. It believes that several aspects of the strategy remain insufficiently addressed, including equal access to social protection, healthcare and care, transport, education, digital accessibility, and housing, as well as the development of new skills and access to quality jobs. It regretted the lack of flagship initiatives on equal access and non-discrimination.
Parliament called on the Commission to carry out a comprehensive mid-term evaluation of the strategy and to put in place mechanisms to ensure that any new legislative or policy proposal complies with the UNCRPD.
Call for an updated strategy post- 2024
Parliament called on the Commission to present without delay an updated strategy for 2025-2030 on the rights of persons with disabilities, including ambitious flagship initiatives and concrete measures to address remaining gaps. The post-2024 strategy should improve participatory mechanisms at EU level concerning legislation, policy and programming to ensure they are fully representative and accessible to persons with disabilities.
Members are calling for the rights of persons with disabilities to be included in the regulation setting out the multiannual financial framework for the post-2027 period and for the ESF+ to contribute to the implementation of the European strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030.
Accessibility
Parliament called for strengthening European accessibility policies to guarantee the full participation of people with disabilities. It called, inter alia, to:
- strengthen AccessibleEU through the creation of a dedicated permanent regulatory agency;
- ensure that new technologies, including medical devices and AI-based tools, are designed to be accessible;
- propose legislation establishing a true single market for assistive devices and technologies;
- ensure the full and rapid implementation of the directive on website accessibility and the European legislation on accessibility;
- ensure accessible healthcare communication for deaf, hearing-impaired, and deafblind persons;
- ensure that digitalisation, particularly in banking and public services, do not reduce accessibility;
- strengthen and harmonise prenatal screening programmes;
- fully apply the accessibility requirements provided for by Union law and revise the acquis in terms of accessibility of rail, road, air and maritime transport infrastructure and equipment;
- ensure that information relating to public services, health, education, employment and Union-funded programmes is fully accessible to disabled persons;
- establish sanctions and penalties for public authorities and private actors that fail to meet EU accessibility obligations.
Decent quality of life and independent living
Parliament underlined the need to guarantee independent living and a decent quality of life for people with disabilities. It called for strengthening inclusive education, reasonable accommodations, and the participation of young people with disabilities in mobility programmes, such as Erasmus+. It insisted on supporting carers through a new flagship initiative, recognising disability rights, preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases, harmonising the recognition of serious neurological disorders, establishing an EU-funded job and skills guarantee, ensuring equal access to quality paid traineeships and apprenticeships, and promoting participation in cultural, educational, and sporting life.
Equal access and non-discrimination
Considering the difficulties faced by women and girls with disabilities, Parliament called for the promotion of equal opportunities for women with disabilities. It invited the Commission and Member States to combat the invisibility of violence against women and girls with disabilities and reiterated the need to raise awareness of the rights of women with disabilities and their role as active participants in society.
The Commission and Member States are called upon to (i) address, at EU level, the barriers to accessing high-quality healthcare and care services for women in all their diversity, including barriers faced by women and girls with disabilities; (ii) strengthen their efforts to address discrimination faced by women with disabilities, who continue to face high unemployment rates and lower pay.