European Parliament spotlights disability rights | News

Coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, Disability Rights Week will include Parliament committees across all policy fields, as well as lead MEPs, hosting debates and events on the EU’s disability policies, assessing whether they are empowering people with disabilities to live on an equal footing and realise their full potential.

Among the many events, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee is organising a workshop on Monday 2 December on deinstitutionalisation and independent living of persons with disabilities and a hearing on fostering employment for people with disabilities on Tuesday 3 December.

Other committees will discuss topics such as gender and disability rights in trade, fighting algorithm discrimination using artificial intelligence, accessibility in the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes, as well as addressing the challenges faced by women with disabilities in healthcare, employment and societal participation.

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Li Andersson (The Left, FI), Chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said: “The rights of persons with disabilities were high on the agenda in the previous mandate and the EU and its institutions have been very active on the issue. Key legislative proposals were adopted, such as the Equality bodies Directives and the Directives on the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for people with disabilities. Other flagship initiatives stemming from the Commission’s Disability Strategy 2021 to 2030 have also been launched, including the Accessible EU centre, and guidelines on independent living.”

Background and next steps

The Disability Rights Week is the annual focal point of year-round activities to ensure that all persons with all types of disabilities can live an independent life and be fully integrated into society. A renewed European Disability Strategy 2025-2030 as well as an upcoming report by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) Committee on the European Union are expected.

Find here more information on the Disability Rights Week.