News/Press

Disability movement leaders from 29 countries in Vienna to debate on the future EU non-discrimination policy

Ursula Haubner, Austrian Minister for Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection and several key EU decision-makers accept the challenge to exchange views with the representatives of 50 million disabled people on fighting discrimination in Europe.

Vienna, 23 February 2006 – The political discussion will take place next Saturday during the opening session of the Board meeting of the European Disability Forum, the representative organisation of disabled people in Europe.

Key participants include: Anne-Marie Sigmund, President of the EU Economic and Social Committee; Harald Ettl, Member of the European Parliament, Stefan Olsson, Head of the Non-discrimination Unit of the European Commission; Max Rubisch, Austrian representative within the High Level group on Disability; Dieter Schindlauer, Austrian expert in non-discrimination; Dr. Klaus Voget, President of the Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Rehabilitation and Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum.

Disability organisations from all over Europe will express their concerns and ambitions during this discussion on the current transposition process into national legislation of the European Directive on Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation. For the European Disability Forum the debate will offer a unique opportunity to call on the European Union for a comprehensive non-discrimination legislation beyond the employment field.

The discussion session, open to the media, will take place on Saturday 25 February at 9:00 in CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL; Wagramer Strasse 21; A – 1220 WIEN.

For more information, please contact: Helena González-Sancho Bodero, EDF Communication and Press Officer; Tel office: (+ 32 2) 282 46 04; E-mail: communication@edf-feph.org

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 50 million disabled citizens in Europe. EDF membership includesnational umbrella organisations of disabled peoplefrom all EU/EEA countries, as well asEuropean NGOs representing the different types of disabilities. The mission of the European Disability Forum is toensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.