Episode 1
The foundation of the European Disability Forum. Interview with Yannis Vardakastanis, EDF President.
2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the European Disability Forum (EDF).
In 1997, EDF has grown into a European disability movement with representation in all European Union (EU) Member States and beyond.
EDF has been supporting persons with disabilities and their representative organisations to come together and speak with one voice. Together with our members and partners, we are fighting for a more inclusive society with equal opportunities for everyone.
Our 25th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the advances of the disability movement!
EDF 25th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the advances of the last decades on disability rights. Indeed, we have seen the adoption of many EU laws and policies that protect, promote and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities in areas such as passengers’ rights, structural funds, employment, web accessibility etc. The EU’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in 2010 provided us with a strong legal framework to advocate for inclusion, accessibility, freedom of movement, independent living, active participation and other fundamental rights and freedoms. We are looking forward to continuing working with our members and partners for an inclusive Europe where all human rights are protected and persons with disabilities are included in society without discrimination.
Throughout the year we will be publishing different materials and carrying out different initiatives to remember our past but also to share our present and future. We will be posting all on our social media channels using the hashtag #EDF25.
Stay tuned!
Listen to our episodes and you will hear the history of the disability movement in Europe!
The foundation of the European Disability Forum. Interview with Yannis Vardakastanis, EDF President.
EDF’s expansion during the enlargement of the European Union with Erzébet Földesi, former EDF Vice-president and Gunta Anca, EDF Executive member.
The negotiations of the CRPD with Stefan Trömel EDF former director and Stig Langvad, EDF former board members.
Transcript episode
How does the new generation see the future of the disability movement? Interview with two youth committee members: Francesca Sbianchi and Kamil Goungor.