The 2003-2010 EU Disability Action has now come to an end. The official aim of this plan was to make sure that disability issues are integrated within all relevant European Union’s (EU) policies. This is called mainstreaming of disability in EU policies.

Today, disability policy evolves in the right direction

• The ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) by the European Communities on 26 November 2009 creates a new political context which implies more responsibilities for the European Union in terms of measures targeting persons with disabilities and mainstreaming
• The review of the Lisbon Strategy (European strategy for growth and jobs) requests more coordinated actions including strategies on employment, social protection, education, growth, competitiveness, research and e-inclusion policies.

• Though a wide range of EU areas of competence impacts on all aspects of life of persons with disabilities, actions at EU level are developed independently of a common strategy within the European Commission
• In the European Parliament there is no clear disability roadmap
• The European Council is following its own direction
• The 27 member states are developing 27 different national disability action plans

COORDINATION is needed

• Action at European and national level needs to be coordinated: with clear and measurable objectives linked to the EU strategy for growth and jobs (Post Lisbon Strategy)
• Disability needs to be factually SYSTEMATICALLY taken into account in ALL relevant EU policies: this is mainstreaming
• All EU programmes and funding instruments need to include a disability dimension

Our tool: THE EUROPEAN DISABILITY PACT – 2011-2021

• A commitment of Member States and European Communities to a coordinated and sustainable disability policy at EU and national level
• A clear and long term direction for disability policy at European level

Clear and measurable objectives:

• Reviewed EU legislation: to make it consistent with the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities
• Mainstreamed disability in all EU policies: including programmes for financial support such as the Structural Funds and development cooperation
• Defined common objectives to be reviewed every five years based on the UN Convention principles and the Lisbon Strategy (EU strategy on growth and jobs)
• Regular progress review of disability policy at national and EU level
• Close involvement of organizations of persons with disabilities at national and EU level

What will be the impact of a Pact on citizens with disabilities in the EU?

With a European Disability Pact, the EU and Member States will commit to advance the rights of persons with disabilities in all areas of life and all EU and national legislations and initiatives. The aim is for persons with disabilities to fully enjoy:

• Equal access and opportunities in education
• Equal access and treatment in employment
• Minimum income and social protection
• Equal opportunities in social protection, social security systems and social services, including personal assistance and personal budgets, when moving to another EU country
• Independent living and equal participation with the choice of social services of high quality 
• Access to goods and services, transport and built environment

How can you support the Disability Pact?

You can express your support by widely disseminating the EDF Proposal for a European Disability Pact:

• To the European Commissioners
• To your Members of the European Parliament
• To your Ministers of the national Government
• To your respective member organizations, network and contacts

What is the roadmap to the Disability Pact?

• Immediate action: Gather consensus of Member States and new European Commission to the European Disability Pact
• Mid-2010 : European Commission will propose a new European Disability Strategy – the European Disability Pact
• Autumn 2010 or Spring 2011: 27 EU head of states and governments to endorse the Disability Pact

The Pact should run from 2011 to 2021 with a midterm review.