EU leaders remain committed to empowering people with disabilities
Presidents of Commission, Parliament and European Council came together for the first time with the European Disability Forum to discuss issues facing the estimated 80 million Europeans with disabilities. EU leaders remained that the strategy to create a barrier-free Europe for disabled people by 2020 outlines how the EU and national governments can empower people with disabilities so they can enjoy their rights.
The European Disability Forum met for the first time with Presidents of Commission, Parliament and European Council in order to discuss the progress made so far in implementing the strategy presented in 2010 by the Commission to create a barrier-free Europe for disabled people by 2020 and how people with disabilities are being affected by the economic crisis. The strategy outlines how the EU and national governments can empower people with disabilities so they can enjoy their rights.
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, highlighted that the EU remains committed to empowering people with disabilities so that they can enjoy their full rights, and benefit fully from participating in society and the economy. On the other hand, the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek considers that Europe must ensure that the impact of the necessary austerity measures is minimised, especially for this group. All material and immaterial barriers to their full participation in society must be removed. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council underlined the importance of inclusiveness. According to Mr Van Rompuy, persons with disabilities must be part of tomorrow's social market economy.
Representatives from the European Commission stated the Commission's intention to put forward the European Accessibility Act by 2012 to ensure that people with disabilities have access on an equal basis with others to the physical environment, to transport and to information and communication services. The Commission will shortly launch a public consultation on accessibility issues to help prepare the initiative.