The Disability Intergroup met on 23 October to discuss the next phase of the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the housing crisis affecting persons with disabilities. MEP Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak chaired the meeting, with the participation of Pat Clarke, Vice President of the European Disability Forum, Lucie Davoine, acting Head of the Disability Unit at the European Commission, and MEP Borja Giménez Larraz, rapporteur of the Special Committee’s report on the Housing Crisis.
Next phase of the EU Disability Rights Strategy
The European Commission has committed to updating the EU Disability Rights Strategy 2021–2030 in the second quarter of 2026. Lucie Davoine presented the progress made on the Strategy so far, and outlined the next steps, leading to new actions and flagship initiatives. The Commission will take into consideration, among others:
- The recommendations from the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
- The European Parliament’s report on the Disability Strategy, adopted that same day by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee.
- Council conclusions and the position of civil society organisations through an open public consultation to be launched shorly.
Lucie Davoine emphasised the need to improve disability employment statistics, which have remained stagnant for a decade, and to reduce the number of persons with disabilities living in segregated institutions, which has increased in several Member States.
Reactions from Disability Intergroup
After the Commission’s presentation, MEPs shared their views:
- MEP Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak warned that Member States are not sufficiently implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). She urged the Commission to remind Member States of their obligations under Article 19 of the Convention and asked about statistics on persons with disabilities living in residential institutions.
- On the Disability Card, MEP Katrin Langensiepen said: “It should be like a driving licence: usable anywhere.” She added that even though the card exists, too few people know about it, and Member States lack plans to promote it. She also highlighted the need for the EU funds to be transparent and available to implement the Convention.
- MEP Chiara Gemma stressed that “The European Disability Card does not work because services are not put into practice” and called for “a more concrete normative framework.” She also underlined the situation of families and informal carers of persons with disabilities.
- On poverty and housing, MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin warned that existing laws, when simplified, can lead to deregulation and weaken hard-won rights. He asked the Commission to address the impact of the housing crisis on employment and highlighted the increased risk of homelessness and addiction among vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities.
Commission Responses
Lucie Davoine referred to a Eurostat pilot project collecting data on collective households. Meanwhile, EU agencies such as Eurofound are researching the situation of persons with disabilities living in institutions. She also stressed the willingness of Member States to be accountable and referred to the High-Level Conference on Independent Living organised by the Danish Presidency at the beginning of November.
Regarding the Disability Card, while the transposition is taking place at national level, the Commission is focusing on developing the technical aspects of the card. The legislation requires the Commission to create a dedicated website to raise awareness, supported by communication campaigns.
She acknowledged the intersection between poverty and disability and will work with the Commission Housing Task Force to address the specific situation of persons with disabilities with regard to accessible and affordable housing.
On the recognition of informal carers, Davoine referred to a recent decision by the European Union Court of Justice. She assured that this should be tackled in coordination with the Gender Equality Strategy, as women are often the ones taking on caring responsibilities.
Housing crisis and accessible, affordable housing
MEP Borja Giménez Larraz, Rapporteur of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, presented the current state of the report on the housing crisis in the European Union. Many Disability Intergroup members contributed to highlighting the specific challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
Key points from the presentation:
- The housing crisis and lack of accessible, affordable housing is a structural issue that should be tackled by the Commission’s upcoming Affordable Housing Action Plan.
- There is a widespread lack of awareness about accessibility rules.
- Many persons with disabilities and older persons are forced to live in institutions.
- EU investments must comply with accessibility standards for older persons and persons with disabilities.
- EU funds such as the European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund should be used to improve housing and assistance, and community-based services.
- There is a need to increase the offer of housing.
The Forum Position
EDF Vice President Pat Clarke congratulated MEPs on adopting the draft report on the next phase of the Disability Strategy, which reflects the demands of the disability movement. On behalf of the Forum, he stressed:
- The next EU budget should include the CRPD and prohibit funding for segregated institutions as a horizontal principle.
- The earmarking of 25% of social funds for social inclusion should be reintroduced.
- On the housing crisis, accessibility must be a precondition for new buildings and renovations, including those related to sustainability.
- Legislative measures, such as changes to State Aid rules, should be considered to improve the affordability of housing adaptations.