The European Commission’s 2026 workplan confirms that new actions will be added to the European Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030!
We welcome this announcement, which reflects our long-standing demands and provides a clear timeline for action. It follows a commitment made by Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib to the European Parliament in December 2024, after strong pressure from United Nations disability experts and the European disability movement.
The Forum had asked for this update and presented possible actions during the 5th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities.
These include flagship initiatives, such as:
- A Disability Employment and Skills Guarantee
- A European Agency for Accessibility
- A Fund for accessibility in the new European plan on affordable housing
- Legislation on the affordability of assistive technology
- A Directive for full freedom of movement of persons with disabilities
- Strong action on ending forced sterilisation
The new initiatives must be coupled with a strong EU Budget that properly funds disability rights.
The European Disability Forum will continue its strong advocacy to ensure all EU initiatives and funding meet the demands and neds of persons with disabilities.
Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, said:
This announcement comes at a crucial moment, a time when disability rights are under attack and being rolled back in many countries. The European Union needs to do more to assume its leadership role – not only through an ‘enhanced’ Strategy that delivers concrete improvements, but also through a strong EU Budget that truly supports us.