On the occasion of the European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020 (#EDPD2020) EDF Youth Committee would like to send a message highlighting the situation of thousands of young people in Europe who are at greater risk than other groups.
1st December 2020
“Young people are living in a more complex world with many choices to make that brings many kinds of feelings. To be able to cope with all these, support for young people should be given to deal with all these feelings and guidance resources, human one included to have their questions answered.
COVID-19 has exacerbated the already precarious situation of young people with disabilities. Therefore, it is very important to include young people in all level of discussions and decision making processes. Whatever happens now it is now and young people are living here and now. Older generation should not invalidate the feelings and sayings of younger ones, but they should meet and share feelings and strive to reach common agreements.
It is true that virtual meetings are connecting each of us during this pandemic period, but should not replace face to face meetings in the future. In EU Mobilities we urge the EU not to make it a unique alternative to facilitate the mobility of young persons with disabilities. Each young person should have the possibility to choose the form of mobility he/she is willing to do.
Like mobility, communication and access to information is a very relevant aspect of inclusion. Transparent face masks should be promoted to be used by all citizens to facilitate communication for everyone as communications happens verbally but also via facial expression. Communication will be easier and for those using other communication methods such as deaf, hard of hearing and little children, etc. The EU should invest in transparent masks and researches going with it.”
Youth Committee