The EU disability policy Civil society's perspective Donata Vivanti - Vice-president EDF

WHO WE ARE? Umbrella organisation full members from 30 European countries 43 European organisations from all main disabilities and chronic illnesses Leaded by persons with disabilities & parents the unified voice of disabled people in Europe fighting for equal opportunities & human rights ensuring that no decisions affecting disabled people are taken without them

200 million persons with disabilities in Europe One of the largest and most marginalized groups of European citizens Facing barriers preventing full participation WHO WE REPRESENT?

OUR GOALS Full access to fundamental and human rights Equalisation of opportunities Principle of non discrimination through Correct transposition and implementation of the UN CRPD in the EU Mainstreaming of disability in all EU policy making Ensure social inclusion of people with disabilities Ensure participation of organisations of people with disabilities in the EU disability policy

THE EU CONTEXT Economic downturn, austerity measures & cuts to social expenditure Demographic changes, globalization, increased poverty rate Entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty Ratification of the UN Convention Implementation of the UN CRPD.

Adoption of the UNCRPD A Landmark for persons with disabilities –full recognition of disability as a human rights issue –Commitment to enable people with disabilities to play a primary role in policy decision making process THE EU POLITICAL CONTEXT

THE UNCRPD IMPACT ON EU POLICY CONSISTENCY of the EU policies with the UN Convention MAINSTREAMING of disability in EU policies DEFINITION OF OBJECTIVES based on the UN Convention principles PARTICIPATION of organisations of persons with disabilities at national and EU level.

THE EU DISABILITY STRATEGY main areas/ key actions 1.Accessibility (EU Accessibility Act) 2.Participation (Mobility Card, de-institutionalization) 3.Equality (EU Accessibility Act, review of the Employment Equality Directive) 4.Employment (Accessible technologies, reasonable accommodation at the workplace) 5.Education and Training (transition to mainstream education, Lifelong Learning) 6.Social Protection (adequate disability pensions, right to compensation) 7.Health (services for special needs)

THE EU DISABILITY STRATEGY Mechanisms to implement the UNCRPD A monitoring framework will be established after considering the possible role of a number of existing EU bodies and institutions and without undue administrative burden The participants of the framework: European Parliament's Petitions Committee European Ombudsman European Commission EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) European Disability Forum (EDF)

Ethical and human rights imperative Obligation under the UNCRPD Implemented in the UNCRPD drafting process Should continue in the implementation and monitoring process PARTICIPATION OF DPOs: WHY?

Participation needs to be: Fully accessible Inclusive of all disabilities Influential Supported PARTICIPATION OF DPOs: HOW?

Guarantees a democratic decision making (Participative democracy) Improves of the quality of governance Added value for better results Makes visible the invisible For an Europe without discrimination PARTICIPATION OF DPOs: Why?

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