News/Press

Brussels, 9 June 2008 – Promoting the agenda on equal and full access to education for children with disabilities in the proposals to be included in the new European Social Strategy was at the core of today’s meeting between Ján Figel’, European Commissioner in charge of education, training, culture and youth, and Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum.

In view of the European Commission proposal of the “Social Package” to be adopted at the end of the month, which would include a proposal for further non-discrimination legislation, Commissioner Figel’ highlighted the important contributions in the education area : “Within the forthcoming European Commission “Social Package” proposal, it is the first time that education priorities will be widely addressed”. The Commissioner added “Access and quality of education are key priorities for progress”.

Yannis Vardakastanis welcomed the recognition of the importance of education in the European social strategy underlining that “Education is a very important area for all, especially for children with disabilities. He added “Education is the prerequisite to access employment and to the ability to exercise any fundamental civil, social, economic and cultural right. The lack of education has irreversible consequences on future lives of more than 50 million EU citizens with disabilities”.

Referring to the Article 24 on Education in the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities which was the first UN Convention signed by the European Communities in 2007 and which will soon be ratified and implemented at EU level, Yannis Vardakastanis stated “Today, with the signature of the UN Convention by the European Communities as well as 26 EU Member States and the ratification in process, the situation has changed. European and national legislations to prohibit discrimination on the ground of disability will have to be harmonised, including in the education field.”

Considering the principle of subsidiarity linked to education, Commissioner Figel’ acknowledged that “there should be no gaps between international commitments and European commitments.”

During the meeting, EDF President, Yannis Vardakastanis, presented to the Commissioner the EDF proposal for a comprehensive European disability Directive, tackling disable’s people discrimination in all fields of life, including education. He voiced once more the signal given by 1.364.984 citizens in the “1million4disability” campaign on the need for “generous and comprehensive legislation”, tackling discrimination in all areas of life, and explained the need of disability specific directive which would address the unique and complex character of disability.

In addition to education, EDF proposal, in line with the race equality legislation adopted in 2000, covers a wide range of fields including : social protection and social security, health care, social advantages, education, access to and supply of services, facilities and goods which are available to the public, access to information and procedures, access to buildings, telecommunication, transport modes and other public spaces and facilities as well as images of persons with disabilities in the media.

Background information:

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