The European Disability Forum met the European Parliament’s lead negotiator for the European Disability Card, MEP Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová on 11 October to ask for a strong position that fulfils our needs.
The newly appointed lead negotiator, also called the “Rapporteur”, met with our delegation led by EDF’s Vice-President Gunta Anca. Our delegation stressed that the European Disability Forum had a very positive initial reception to the proposal. We underlined the characteristics of the proposal that should not be “watered down”:
- The mutual recognition of disability status in all services and facilities where nationals can get preferential conditions. This is a clear improvement from the pilot project, which had a restrictive list of services.
- Respect for persons’ privacy and non-disclosure of disability type.
- The fact that the European Disability Card is separate from the European Parking Card.
- The issuing of both physical and electronic versions.
- The fact that the European Disability Card will complement – not replace – existing national disability cards.
We discussed the main demands of the disability movement:
- The temporary granting of social security, social assistance and allowances when a person moves abroad and is undergoing the “reassessment” process for recognition of their disabilities.
- Provisions to support persons with disabilities taking part in EU Mobility Programmes like ERASMUS+.
- Inclusion of EU Funding to support Member States in implementing the European Disability Card.
- Creation of an EU awareness-raising campaign and centralised database.
- Involvement of representative organisations of persons with disabilities in the implementation and evaluation of the European Disability Card.
- The Card should be issued free of charge.
Gunta Anca, EDF’s Vice-President, stated:
The European Parliament has always been our ally on advancing disability rights, and our meeting with MEP Nicholsonová reassures us that this will be the case for the European Disability Card. The Card is a promise of European citizenship and better freedom of movement for millions of people – we have to make sure it delivers.
MEP Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová stated:
My intention as rapporteur is to urgently negotiate quality legislation that will provide a genuine response to the difficulties people with disabilities face in the mutual recognition of recognised disability status between Member States and to facilitate their freedom of movement by ensuring access to available special conditions or preferential treatment on equal terms and condition as nationals when travelling. I look forward to working closely with the EDF on this important legislation for persons with disabilities.