Since its establishment in 1996, the European Disability Forum’s top priority has always been an effective protection of disabled people’s rights, in all fields and at all stages of life. During the past three years in particular, EDF has continued to develop strong arguments in favour of a comprehensive European disability directive that will protect disabled people from discrimination at all levels.

Why a comprehensive approach is necessary?

Disabled people face barriers and prejudice in many areas: education, transport, employment, insurances access to the information, access to building and infrastructures…

At present, European legislation against disability discrimination only exists in the employment field. However, for a disabled person, reaching the labour market is already a challenge, as it implies overcoming overwhelming barriers in school, when going to university, taking the local bus or even surfing on the Internet.

How can the EU contribute to tackle discrimination towards disabled people?

Among its aims and values, the European Union is committed to respect the Human Rights of all people, including of course disabled persons. Despite this key objective, the rights of millions disabled people are regularly violated in many EU Member States.

For EDF, fighting disability discrimination is a Human Rights issue and as such, it is the duty of the European Union to develop the necessary means to protect disabled people’s most fundamental rights.

All decisions adopted at EU level must take disabled people into consideration, because all fields of EU competences have an impact on people with disabilities’ lives. A comprehensive European directive that will cover all areas of life simultaneously will be the most effective way to protect the rights of all Europeans with disabilities.

Why comprehensive legislation has not yet been adopted?

Following the adoption of the Employment Directive in 2000, the European Union felt unready to develop further disability legislation. On the one hand, the EU feared a possible reluctance from the Member States. On the other, the Employment Directive still had to be transposed and implemented in the national legislations of all Member States.

Three years have passed since this implementation process of the Employment Directive should have been accomplished and since EDF presented to the EU a draft proposal for a disability Directive. Some EU countries have shown their commitment to disability and have even extended some principles of the Directive to combat discrimination in other areas.

The European Communities have shown their openness and support regarding a comprehensive approach when negotiating and signing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Indeed, the UN Convention looks at all fields of life in which disabled people encounter barriers and discrimination. If the EU adopts this approach at the international level, shouldn’t it also adopt it at the European level?

The ‘1million4disability’ campaign successfully collected 1.364.984 signatures!

In 2007 celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, as well as the European Year of Equal Opportunities. It was also EDF’s 10^th anniversary and the time chosen by the disability movement to launch its 1million4disability campaign.

The challenge? Collecting one million signatures across the European Union in favour of European comprehensive disability legislation.

Why a million? The draft Constitutional Treaty under current discussion foresees the right of initiative for European citizens. According to Art. 47.4 of the Constitution for Europe, a million EU citizens from a significant number of Member States can invite the European Commission to submit a proposal in those fields where they feel the EU should take action. The 1million4disability campaign is based in this key article, which has no legal base at the present stage, but remains an essential principle of participatory democracy.

The EU cannot ignore the voice of 1.364.984 citizens. The future cannot wait !

Download EDF Position Paper on the need of a disability specific Directive - Word - PDF

NEW: DOWNLOAD EDF's PROPOSAL FOR A EUROPEAN DISABILITY-SPECIFIC DIRECTIVE

READ: EDF's ABSOLUTE DEMANDS IN FAVOUR OF A EUROPEAN DISABILITY-SPECIFIC DIRECTIVE