Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities

SUMMARY OF:

Communication from the Commission — Union of equality: Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE COMMUNICATION?

It sets out a strategy for the rights of people who have disabilities for the decade 2021-2030. It aims to:

deliver significant improvements for people who have disabilities to every area of their lives, in the European Union (EU) and beyond; and
support EU Member States and EU institutions in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

KEY POINTS

This strategy aims to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in the decade 2021-2030. It states that the objectives can only be reached through coordinated action at both the national and the EU levels, with a strong commitment from Member States and regional and local authorities to deliver on the actions proposed by the European Commission.

Vision and need for action

The EU is anchored in the values of equal opportunities, social fairness, freedom, democracy and human rights. The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (see summary) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights (see summary) provide the basis to combat all forms of discrimination (see non-discrimination), establishing equality as a cornerstone of EU policies.

The strategy takes into account the diversity of disability, resulting from the interaction between often invisible, long-term, physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments and barriers in the environment, along with the increased prevalence of disabilities with age. It addresses specific barriers faced by persons with disabilities who are at the intersection of identities (gender, racial, ethnic, sexual, religious), or in a difficult socioeconomic or other vulnerable situation. Among persons with disabilities, women, children, older persons, homeless persons, refugees, migrants, Roma and other ethnic minorities need particular attention.

The strategy supports the green and digital transitions and a healthy Europe, contributing to a sustainable, resilient, innovative and fair EU. It is part of the European Pillar of Social Rights action plan. The strategy is designed to strengthen Europe’s role as a global partner in combating inequalities, achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and promoting human rights.

The 10-year strategy sets out key initiatives around four main themes.

Accessibility as an enabler of rights, autonomy and equality

Accessibility is a precondition for participation in society and in the economy on an equal basis with others. At the EU level, the Commission will pay close attention to the correct implementation and evaluation of all EU rules regulating accessibility, and identify gaps and the need for further legislative actions. The Commission will launch a European resource centre (AccessibleEU) to increase coherence in accessibility policies and facilitate access to relevant knowledge, bringing together national authorities, experts and professionals from all areas of accessibility to:

share good practices across sectors;
inspire policy development at both the national and the EU levels;
develop tools and standards aiming to facilitate the implementation of EU law.

Rights as EU citizens:

Persons with disabilities have the same right as other EU citizens to move to another country or to participate in political life. By the end of 2023, the Commission will propose a European disability card aiming to:

facilitate mutual recognition of disability status between Member States;
help disabled people enjoy their right of free movement;
ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process.

Equal access and non-discrimination

The strategy aims to protect persons with disabilities from any form of discrimination and violence. It aims to ensure equal opportunities and access, including:

improving access to justice, legal protection, freedom and security;
providing equal access to social protection, healthcare, education, and goods and services, including housing;
providing inclusive and accessible education;
providing sustainable and equal access to high-quality healthcare, including health-related rehabilitation and prevention;
improving access to art and culture, recreation, leisure, sport and tourism;
fostering participation in the democratic process;
providing accessible and inclusive housing;
improving the accessibility of buildings and communication;
participating in lifelong learning;
developing new skills for new jobs;
fostering access to quality and sustainable jobs;
making selection, recruitment, employment and retention processes disability inclusive.

Independent living and autonomy

Persons with disabilities have the right to live independently and choose where and with whom they want to live. To support independent living and inclusion in the community, the Commission is launching an initiative to improve social services for persons with disabilities, focusing on:

ensuring a decent quality of life;
providing quality social and employment services;
developing independent living;
reinforcing community-based services.

Efficient delivery

The Commission calls on Member States and every EU institution and EU agency to:

consider the needs of persons with disabilities when designing, implementing and monitoring policies, legislation and funding programmes through targeted action and mainstreaming;
cooperate on disability with other stakeholders, supported by the use of EU funding and training.

Other delivery commitments include:

providing a comprehensive online presence to ensure the continuity of activities;
ensuring sound monitoring and reporting;
improving awareness and governance, measuring progress;
ensuring that persons with disabilities are part of the dialogue and part of the implementation process;
integrating disability issues into all EU policies and major initiatives;
promoting the rights of persons with disabilities globally;
strengthening the EU framework under the UNCRPD.

Implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

EU institutions should commit, as the Commission did in the document, to working together and to leading by example in achieving the implementation of the UNCRPD at the EU and the national levels.

All Member States and the EU are parties to the convention, and are required to promote, protect and fulfil the human rights of all persons with disabilities and ensure their equality under the law. With this strategy, the Commission provides the framework supporting EU and Member States’ actions to implement the UNCRPD.

BACKGROUND

MAIN DOCUMENT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Union of equality: Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 (COM(2021) 101 final, 3.3.2021)