The European disability movement is extremely concerned that disability issues are not mentioned in the document outlining the political priorities of the European Commission for 2024-2029. We sent a letter today to President Von Der Leyen seeking urgent clarification on this exclusion.
We welcome the positive step of continuing a “Union of Equality” with a dedicated Commissioner and proposing several initiatives on social issues. However, the lack of mention of disability issues is a worrying sign.
Our President, Yannis Vardakastanis, states in the letter that the movement was “left baffled and worried by the lack of mention of disability or accessibility in this document” and explained that “it is also critical to commit to updating the Disability Rights Strategy with a new set of actions”.
Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, added:
“The previous mandate saw important advances in disability rights. We hope that this oversight is promptly corrected and that the Commission continues advancing the rights of 100 million Europeans with disabilities.”
Related documents
- Letter to European Commission President Von Der Leyen “Lack of mention of disability issues in your Political Guidelines”