Blog

115 Blogss found

Laura Soler: the parties need us.

This is an English version of an interview conducted in Spanish. Find the Spanish version on our Facebook....

Read more

Inclusion indicators

Op-ed by Inge Volleberg, researcher and coordinator at Inclusion Europe. What gets measured gets done. And what doesn’t...

Read more

Voters of Europe: Tamara Byrne

Tamara Byrne is a self-advocate working for Inclusion Ireland and representing persons with intellectual disabilities in the EDF...

Read more

Young Ukrainians with disabilities fight for their rights – and the planet.

Anna Derkach and Liana Derkach (her mother) are from the city of Cherkasy in Ukraine.  They represent the...

Read more

Bridging AI and Autistic Rights - Insights, Advocacy, and Next Steps

This blog was provided by Heta Pukki, President of the European Council of Autistic People. Inaugural Year Culmination:...

Read more

Empowering Inclusion: EDF and the European AI and Society Fund Join Forces for Disability Rights

Written by Catherine Miller, Director of the European Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Society Fund. Shaping AI with the...

Read more

Estonian Chamber of People with Disabilities celebrates 30 years

Blog post written by Meelis Joost, Chairman of the Estonian Chamber of People with Disabilities. On 5 December,...

Read more

Breaking Barriers: Riga Conference Explores AI's Transformative Impact on Lives of Persons with Disabilities

Inclusive Futures: Setting the Stage On the 8th of December, Riga became the focal point for an important...

Read more

They understand me like no one else: peer support for injured Ukrainian soldier

Trigger warning: violence, war From student to soldier Oleksandr is a 25-year-old young man from Ukraine. He graduated...

Read more

Disability rights at all ages

Op-ed by AGE Platform Europe Although ageing is often seen as being equal to chronic illness and impairment,...

Read more

Digitalisation, data and cinema - Youth perspectives - Ascend at EYE

Thanks to the European Disability Forum (EDF), I had an opportunity to attend European Youth Event in Strasbourg...

Read more

The European Youth Event 2023 - Unveiling the EDF Youth Committee's Remarkable Journey (Part 2)

Blog posts by Tamara Byrne and Lydia Vlagsma, EDF Youth Committee members.

Read more

Some thoughts on disability-inclusive climate action

Blog post by Gordon Rattray, EDF Programme Coordinator My last blog about climate action was mostly talking about...

Read more

Minister for a Day - Romanian Youth Ascend to Power - Ascend at EYE

Hello, my name is Yousef, I am one of the people who had the pleasure to participate in...

Read more

Just How Accessible? Slovakian Youth on Employment - Ascend at EYE

EYE2023 (European Youth Event) took place in the beautiful city of Strasbourg on June 9th and 10th 2023....

Read more

Bridging Identities: Navigating life at the Intersection of Disability and LGBTQI+

Interview done by EDF LGBTQI+ persons with disabilities are particularly susceptible to intersectional discrimination across multiple areas such...

Read more

Hungary: ensuring expertise where it's needed

The staff of the Federation of Associations of Persons with Physical Disabilities MEOSZ, in Hungary has been active...

Read more

The digital dimension of gender-based violence

Blog post by Silvia Cutrera, Coordinator of the Women's Group of the Italian Federation Overcoming Handicap (FISH). On...

Read more

Ascend Slovakia: Prepped and ready for lift off!

In early June 2023, the European Disability Forum's Coordinator for the Central and Eastern European region, Phillipa Tucker,...

Read more

“Behind every door, there was some beautiful story playing out”

These are the words of Michaela Hajduková, of the Slovak Disability Council (NROZP). Michaela is talking about her...

Read more

Anterior capsulotomy as alternative care for extremely severe OCD

Trigger warning: self-harm, suicide, hospitalisation Blog post was written by Timo Kallioaho, disability advocate. Edited by André Félix,...

Read more

Autism-Europe’s World Autism Awareness Day 2023 Campaign: Building an inclusive society for autistic people

Blog post written by Autism Europe for EDF Disability Voice newsletter. Autism-Europe (AE) is celebrating the UN World...

Read more

Nonna Pia: A tribute to my grandmother, role model, and close friend

Blog post written by Flavia Marroni, EDF intern in the Operations team I would like to talk about...

Read more

More than an internship - Hilda's experience at EDF

I knew I wanted to learn more about persons with disabilities and do more outside of the clinical...

Read more

Our Youth Committee’s meeting with European Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides

On 22 February, I participated as a representative of the Youth Committee of the European Disability Forum in...

Read more

EUCAP project on violence against autistic people in Europe

Blog post by Sara Rocha, representative of the European Council of Autistic People and member of EDF Women’s Committee....

Read more

Latvia: a talented young man with disabilities following the footsteps of his parents as professional sportsman

With the support of Authorized Government Official for the Rights of People with Disabilities Tetiana Barantsova, and SUSTENTO...

Read more

War in Ukraine – decolonising disability and other ableism reflections

Blog by Marion Steff, International Cooperation Manager One year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. One year ago, the European...

Read more

Ukraine's war through the voices of persons with disabilities and their families

Blog post based on stories published on the EDF website in October 2022. Together with our partners, we...

Read more

Come with me to the sun. But bring your sunscreen… and your tenacity

For those who don't know Nigeria, and don't know Nigerians, come with me on a ride through Abuja......

Read more

Our Trip to the House of European History

What an amazing event!   We were a group of 2 young participants with visual impairment and 2 “spirit...

Read more

Why does Europe keep funding institutions and what can be done about it?

Blog post written by Haydn Hammersley - Social Policy Coordinator. We hear the term “institution” a lot, but...

Read more

Building sustainability into disability rights work

Blog post written by Phillipa Tucker – Coordinator Eastern and Central Europe, EDF We all understand sustainability to mean...

Read more

Frontline Defenders of Disability Rights: Our Stories

Blog post written by Phillipa Tucker – Coordinator Eastern and Central Europe, EDF EDF and CBM have been working...

Read more

Advocating for ourselves: "I was able to realise what potential we have, despite our disabilities or special needs"

On October 28th and 29th, we got an opportunity to take part in a great and exciting youth event...

Read more

LevelUp: representing persons with disabilities from Hungary at the European Parliament

I am Dávid Aranyos, from Hungary. I am a member of the Hungarian Association of Persons with Intellectual...

Read more

Messages from the Youth Committee with the occasion of European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022

Like every year the EDF Youth Committee takes the opportunity around the European and International Day of Persons...

Read more

Mental Health Europe: There is no health without mental health

Op-ed written by Mental Health Europe.  For over 35 years, we at Mental Health Europe (MHE) – the largest...

Read more

Accelerating advocacy: a report from LevelUP at the European Parliament

My name is Lydia Vlagsma and I am a disability advocate at Ieder(in). Together with 1200 young activists...

Read more

Travelling and attending an event as a wheelchair user

I am Balázs Markos. I participated in the LevelUp 2022 event as a member of the European Disability...

Read more

The Czech Republic Learns Sign Language

Did you know that almost 10.000 people in the Czech Republic use sign language? And that, globally, there...

Read more

Inclusive Volunteering and the European Solidarity Corps – Interview with Ioannis Malekos, DG EAC

We spoke with Ioannis Malekos, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Youth, Volunteer Solidarity and Traineeships Office...

Read more

“Responding to changing circumstances” – the Organisation of Muscular Dystrophy in the Slovak Republic

The Organisation of Muscular Dystrophy in the Slovak Republic is a member of the Slovak Disability Council, from which it is...

Read more

Escaping the war as children with disabilities: Nastia's story

Nastia, Iryna and their family have received support from Patchwork -Association for Immigrant Families of Persons with Disabilities....

Read more

A pathway of support to find an accessible job in Latvia: Andrii's story

CBM has committed 2.1 million euros in humanitarian assistance to support Ukraine and neighboring countries. Through a collaboration with the European...

Read more

Refugees helping refugees - Tetiana's story

Tetiana has received support by SUSTENTO organisation for the provision of assistive devices, health care, accessible transport services...

Read more

From Donetsk to Latvia – Evacuation to Rehabilitation

Residents from Bakhmut psychoneurological house have received support by SUSTENTO organization for the provision of assistive devices, health care, accessible...

Read more

Families reunited across borders: Iryna's story

Iryna has received support by SUSTENTO organization for the provision of assistive devices, health care, job search assistance, accessible transport...

Read more

Fleeing from Kharkiv to Riga: Vera's story

Vera has received support by SUSTENTO organization for the provision of assistive devices, health care, job search assistance, accessible transport...

Read more

Developing a framework for inclusive and resilient assistive technology policy

Dr. Emma Smith has recently joined EDF as a Marie Sklowdowska-Curie Research Fellow, in partnership with the Assisting...

Read more

Rebranding an organisation of and for persons with disabilities: lessons learnt from the Slovak Disability Council

As organisations of and for persons with disabilities (OPDs), we are often so busy working on advocacy and...

Read more

Women and the War - Inspired by their own knowing: Women, disability, and complex challenges

Blog post written by Phillipa Tucker – Coordinator Eastern and Central Europe, EDF Much has been written about...

Read more

Living independently: stories of young people with disabilities in Europe

Independent living is a cornerstone of the rights of persons with disabilities. While the independent living movement has...

Read more

Young persons with disabilities real actors in the EU society?

Blog post written by Loredana Dicsi - Membership, Internal Communication and Youth Officer Today we are celebrating again the...

Read more

Interview with Kristijan Grđan

Kristijan Grđan, is Croatian living in Germany. He represents Mental Health Europe of which he is the vice-president....

Read more

Interview with Gabor Petry

Gabor Petry, from Hungary, representing Mental Health Europe, joined EDF board in 2013 as the youngest board member...

Read more

Interview with Bart Verdickt

Bart Verdickt is from Belgium and represent the Belgian Disability Forum (BDF) he was elected as a board...

Read more

Interview with Francisco Vaño

Francisco Vaño, Paco, is representing International Federation of Persons with Physical Disability (FIMITIC) one of our European NGO...

Read more

Interview with Rodolfo Cattani

Rodolfo Cattani is representing the European Blind Union (EBU)one of our European NGO full member. He has been...

Read more

The Acropolis: a complex with improved accessible facilities

Blog post written by Marily Christofi, Accessibility Expert collaborating with the NCDP It is now commonly accepted that...

Read more

UN Committee scrutinizes disability inclusion in Swiss international cooperation

Blog post written by: Chantal Baumgarten, Advocacy Project Manager for CBM Switzerland and Coordinator of the Swiss Disability and...

Read more

Experience with the European Disability Card

Post written by: Alejandro Moledo, EDF Head of Policy I am always proud to say that (I believe)...

Read more

Interview with Autism-Poland Association of the situation on the border with Ukraine

We spoke with Małgorzata Wokacz-Zaborowska, representative of Autism-Poland Association at Autism-Europe. Members of this association are helping children and adults...

Read more

Interview with Child With Future on the situation of children with autism in Ukraine

Children and especially children with disabilities are among the groups most affected by the war in Ukraine. We...

Read more

It is possible to design a future where all have a chance to live and thrive

Blog post by Sif Holst candidate for the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities On March...

Read more

31st Alzheimer Europe Conference

Blog post by Alzheimer Europe If you were unable to participate in the virtual 31st Alzheimer Europe Conference #31AEC...

Read more

Dance in the Rain

Blogpost written by Clara Osafo Sasu Senior, intern at EDF International cooperation team My experience at EDF can...

Read more

Disabled women organising and leading change

The National Womens Council of Ireland (NWCI), is a women’s civil society organisation. Since February 2020, we have...

Read more

Forced sterilization of disabled people

Opd-ed by Feminists Against Ableism An Intersectional Disability Justice Collective Who is allowed to be a parent? This...

Read more

United Nations Online Volunteers

Every year, hundreds of organizations request thousands of Online Volunteers to team up and address sustainable development challenges...

Read more

The European Union promotes Inclusive volunteering

by Loredana Dicsi, EDF Internal Communication and Youth Officer The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is the volunteering programme...

Read more

ASPEm: The path to promoting online volunteering

Blog post written by Camilla Novara from ASPEm, Global Citizenship Education and Mobility and Volunteering areas Our organization ASPEm has...

Read more

International Rescue Committee UK: Step by step - our work to become inclusive!

By Laura Kyrke-Smith – Executive Director International Rescue Committee -UK With the Global Disability Summit around the corner,...

Read more

When it rains, look for rainbows ! When it's dark, look for stars !

Blog post written by Katia Vermeire Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Katia Vermeire and I...

Read more

Everyone Deserves a Taste of Mobility

This blog is written by Diana Zsoldos, former ESC volunteer, Communications and Logistics Officer for International Cooperation at...

Read more

Barriers faced by deaf people while accessing healthcare

Article written by Mark Wheatley, Executive Director of the European Union of the Deaf (EUD) Under the Article...

Read more

Good COP, bad COP, inclusive COP?

Photo credit: GDI Hub. Blog post written by Gordon Rattray, International Cooperation Officer. The Conference is over, the Glasgow agreement...

Read more

Vote against the “Additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention”

Vote against the “Additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention” This article is about European legislation with regards to coercion in mental health care. The Council of Europe is about to make a big mistake. It’s now up to the minister of foreign affairs who can turn the tide with his colleagues in the Committee of Ministers in the Council of Europe.

Read more

‘Sticky wall’, sauna and salty liquorice - VIVID-T project meeting in Helsinki

Are we really having a face-to-face meeting? Amazing’ This was the main feeling when starting the VIVID-T meeting...

Read more

We find ourselves in crucial times: Disability Voice newsletter introduction by Jolijn Santegoeds, EDF Board Member.

Welcome to the Disability voice newsletter. As EDF’s board member on behalf of the European Network of Users,...

Read more

"It was not his job to help me". The story of Niamh who was denied assistance to get out of a bus in Aarhus (Denmark)

Blog post by Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird, Irish disability activist and journalist. After spending a year and a half...

Read more

Connecting Key Actors - Interview with Alessia Rogai on Bridging the Gap II project

Our Bridging the Gap II (BtG-II) project has ended and we were curious to hear about the learning experience that we can take away from this. On this occasion, we talked to Alessia Rogai who worked as knowledge management and learning coordinator of this EU-funded project.

Read more

Walking in the city Centre can turn into a nightmare

When your city is turned up, broken for important works to change water pipes or other, for may it becomes unconfortable. For blind people it can be fatal.

Read more

How accessible is your stay in hospital?

The majority of people stay once or twice in their life in hospital. Persons with disabilities will have this “chance” more then others, certainly some that have disability related illnesses. This year I was there twiceand had a “good experience”. Don’t be surprised I’ll explain it.

Read more

“On the tatami we are opponents. The minute we step off, we are each other’s biggest supporters.”

Guest blog by Nina Portolan, para karate athlete from Belgrade, Serbia. She won the bronze medal at the recent Karate and Para karate European Championship.

Read more

Young People with Disabilities - Where are they?

Opinion Piece written by Loredana Dicsi, Membership, Internal Communication and Youth Officer. Today is International Youth Day, a special day when full attention is given to young people. But how much attention? How many people will read this piece today? 12 August is a day like any other day. And yet is when most of us are enjoying a well-deserved holiday.

Read more

Transforming from an orphanage to reintegration

The Umbrella Foundation, an organisation that moved away from orphanage care and now focuses on the reintegration of children back to their families, shares with VIVID-T a case study that is just one part of their transitional journey. This blog has been prepared by Stephen Jenkinson who was the Country Director for three years for the Umbrella Foundation and also available on Tearfund Ireland’s website.

Read more

The courage of taking responsibility for your inner voice

Sotiroula Kythreot a Schuman Trainee at the European Parliament tells her story. Diagnosed with an unclassified hyposkeletical dysplasia of the edges and deformity she spent most of her life in a hospital. She shares with us her story of how she took responsibility for her inner voice.

Read more

Working together to achieve more. Sif Holst, Vice-Chair DPOD nominee for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Committee

We spoke with Sif Holst Vice-Chair DPOD, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee and Nordic Council's Disability Council. With over 20 years of experience as disability rights advocate, we interviewed her about her candidacy to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Committee.

Read more

My Experience of Online Volunteering

EDF is a co-partner in an EU-funded project called VIVID-T focusing on humanitarian action, volunteering, and disability. Read...

Read more

Intersectionality Statement European Union of the Deaf (EUD)

By Toju Popo, Policy Assistant EUD To commemorate the 17 of May, the day against homophobia and transphobia, EUD would...

Read more

Vaccine (in)equity. No right of way for persons with disabilities in the EU

By Aïda Regel Poulsen As the General Secretary for European Federation of Hard of Hearing I have received...

Read more

Reading costs me more than others

On April 23 is World Book Day. Each reason to celebrate is good for me and I enjoy. But celebrating a day dedicated to books is even more important to me. Reading is one of my passion, and to this passion I dedicate every day at least one hour. And if one day, I didn’t have time for any reason I will certainly catch up later in the week.

Read more

Reflections on Learning

If I had to summarize my time with EDF into a simple phrase, I believe I would call...

Read more

Learning Never Stops

Ever since I started my internship with European Disability Forum (EDF) I have been catching myself walking around...

Read more

The black siren: experience of a young para-swimmer

My name is Nicaise Mokabo. I was seven years old when I lost my leg after a traffic accident. Very quickly, I had to deal with the situation and my prosthetist told me that I had to find a physical activity. And this is my story.

Read more

Criticism of COVID-19 passports in Denmark

The National Association of Current and Former Psychiatric Users (LAP) in Denmark has been tracking the government’s proposal...

Read more

Better no tough approach to rioters (Netherlands)

As an expert by experience on the use of coercion in (youth)psychiatry, I would like to stress that a tough approach to rioting youth and youngsters is counterproductive.

Read more

Ms. Katarzyna Roszewska

I would like to be involved in the work on strengthening and promoting Articles 12 and 19 with their general comments, as well as in the work on the draft general commentary on Article 28. The CRPD underlines also the role of the family and the duty of the State in supporting the family.

Read more

Ms. Ivanka Jovanović

"Human rights are universal and indivisible; they belong to all human beings, so naturally they also belong to...

Read more

Working together to achieve more - Ms. Sif Holst from Denmark

We need to work together if we want to release the full potential of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The disability organisations, our disability umbrellas are vital with their knowledge and experience. It must always be “Nothing about us without us”

Read more

Election of the UN CPRD Committee: Zoom on Candidates. Dr Claire Lucille Azzopardi Lane

States parties to the Convention will elect 9 independent experts to the Committee on the Rights of Persons...

Read more

Mind the gap 4/4. A social twin track approach to vaccination

Mind the Gap by Jolijn Santegoeds, 9 December 2020. This is the last of four articles in the story. Click on every title to access.

Read more

Mind the gap 3/4. Vaccination alone is not enough. The social consequences for persons with disabilities of a global emergency

Mind the Gap by Jolijn Santegoeds, 9 December 2020. This is the third of four articles in the story. Click on every title to access.

Read more

Mind the gap 2/4. What is behind all this publicity about COVID 19 vaccination? Some concerns about the plan

Mind the Gap by Jolijn Santegoeds, 9 December 2020. This is the second of four articles in the story. Click on every title to access.

Read more

Mind the gap 1/4. Facing a human rights emergency. COVID19 vaccination in institutions is not enough

Mind the Gap by Jolijn Santegoeds, 9 December 2020. This is the first of four articles in the story. Click on every title to access.

Read more

Stuck in institution, raped by her “carer”

by Luisa Bosisio Fazzi, Italian Disability Forum and member of EDF Women’s Committee

Read more

Healthcare Status: When You Belong to Nowhere

Article was written by Diana Zsoldos Citizens have been able to enjoy tremendous opportunities since the European Union...

Read more

Opinion piece by Luisa Fazzi - Disability in the time of the coronavirus: can i take my dog outside … oops my child with disabilities?

Article by Luisa Bosiso Fazzi, EDF Board Member and of the Italian Disability Forum. Original version in italian on Superando.it.

Read more

Children’s Day 2016: The voices of children with disabilities should be heard

Happy Children’s Day everyone! Children with disabilities have the right to the same life as all other children....

Read more