The European Parliament approved a resolution in which asks for more jobs to people with disabilities. In addition, it calls on EU Member States and the European Commission to recognise sign language as an official language in the Member States.

The resolution on the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 approved in plenary session by the European Parliament points out that over 80 million people, i.e. around 16% of the EU's total population, are living with disabilities. The employment rate for people with disabilities is only around 45% in the EU and this is one of the groups hardest hit by the financial crisis. According to MEPs, the Europe 2020 Strategy target of 75% of the population aged 20-64 in Europe 2020 in employment cannot be achieved unless it includes people with some form of disability.

On the other hand, the resolution calls on Member States and the Commission to swiftly ratify and implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). So far, the Convention has been ratified by 17 Member States. In addition, Parliament stresses the need to reach a swift agreement on the proposal for a Council directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

With regard to the measures anti-discrimination and accessibility provisions, MEPs ask the Commission to present a legislative proposal for a European Accessibility Act with strong and binding measures at EU level to improve access to goods and services for people with disabilities. They also calls for stronger measures in the EU's cohesion policy plans for 2014-2020, plans presented by the Commission in October, and public procurement reform proposals. Furthermore, MEPs call on EU Member States and the European Commission to recognise sign language as an official language in the Member States.