The European Commission has launched a debate on the future shape of European disability policy ahead of the European Day of People with Disabilities on December, 3rd. The conference "Acting locally for a society for all", taking place in Brussels between December 1st and 2nd, will bring together key players in the disability field to discuss follow-up to the current European Disability Action Plan.

Over 50 million Europeans have a disability. Although they already have legal protection against discrimination based on disability in the workplace at a European level, in reality, the situation often remains difficult for people with disabilities. Besides, there is no Community-level legislation to protect disabled people from discrimination in other areas of life, outside the workplace.

That's one of the reasons why the Commission came forward in July with an ambitious proposal which would provide for protection against discrimination on grounds of disability, age, religion and sexual orientation in access to goods and services, social protection and social advantages, education and health care. In words of Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimír Špidla, “this is an ambitious proposal and I call for the active support of the disability community to help us get this proposal agreed as quickly as possible”.

The current European Disability Action Plan, which is the roadmap for the EU's activities in the disability field, runs until 2010. The Commission is also using the Conference to kick-start the debate on what Europe should do after 2010 for people with disabilities.

The event will also focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which entered into force in May 2008 and will have a major impact on the life of people with disabilities at both EU and global level. In August, the Commission made a proposal to conclude the Convention. But it is at local level that most of the provisions of the Convention will have to be implemented, and this will be the focus of discussions. For example, the Conference will discuss how European Structural Funds can make a difference for disabled people through training and accessible infrastructure.

The conference is organised jointly with the European Disability Forum and supported by the EU-wide “For Diversity. Against Discrimination" information campaign, which aims to inform people about their rights and obligations and to raise awareness of discrimination issues and the benefits of diversity in general.