MEP Miriam Lexmann:

Quaestor responsible for assistance for members with disabilities and chair of the artistic committee, MEP Miriam Lexmann organised an art exhibition and a took part in a workshop on engaging with persons with disabilities through art.

MEP Katrin Langensiepen:

As shadow rapporteur for the Toy Safety Regulation, MEP Katrin Langensiepen welcomed the European Parliament’s vote on 4 December as “a great step forward for protecting our children.” The new regulation bans toxic substances, strengthens accessibility, and requires companies to address psychological and emotional risks posed by digital and AI-based toys. MEP Langensiepen also advocates for adaptive toys that meet the needs of children with disabilities.

MEP Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak:

MEP Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak hosted a conference on the importance of independent living, bringing together decision-makers, experts, civil society organisations, and persons with disabilities to discuss personal assistance, care financing, mental health, and accessibility barriers.

MEP Pál Szekeres:

On the occasion of the International Day of People with Disabilities, MEP Pál Szekeres hosted disability-related events in the European Parliament: 40th anniversary conference of the European Union of the Deaf and a photo exhibition of the Hungarian Special Olympics Association.

At the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs hearing on workplace and community challenges for persons with disabilities and their caregivers, MEP Pál Szekeres highlighted the situation of people with severe mobility impairments, such as those using electric wheelchairs. “Many could take up employment if they had access to a personal assistant to support them.”.

MEP Chiara Gemma:

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, MEPs Chiara Gemma and Lara Magoni hosted the second edition of Beyond the Obstacle. The event celebrated inclusion, accessibility, and the talents of persons with disabilities. MEP Gemma said: “Participants spoke openly about their experiences, sharing challenges and achievements. Their stories offered valuable insights into creativity and determination.”. Two participants performed a ballet piece, demonstrating grace and artistic skill. The performance highlighted the importance of supporting diverse talents in cultural spaces.

MEP Peter Agius:

During the Petitions Committee discussion on ‘The UN CRPD Concluding Observations on the EU report’, MEP Peter Agius underlined PETI’s role in reviewing the EU under the UN CRPD and stressed the need to recognise autism, intellectual disabilities, and dyslexia as disabilities to ensure equal rights.

MEP Dainius Žalimas:

During the MEP Dainius Žalimase Legal Affairs Committee’s hearing on the 2023 proposal for cross-border protection of adults, MEP Dainius Žalimas called for stronger action on legal capacity rights during a hearing on cross-border protection of adults and referred to the concluding observations of the CRPD Committee and asked what the European Commission is planning to do in that regards.

MEP Katrin Langensiepen:

On 27 November, the European Parliament adopted the report on the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities after 2024, setting clear expectations for the Commission’s proposal expected in 2026. MEP Langensiepen stresses the need for a holistic approach to combat discrimination, poverty and gender-based violence that takes into account the intersectional perspectives of people with disabilities.

MEP Pál Szekeres:

During his plenary intervention on the EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024 , MEP Pál Szekeres, rapporteur for the PETI committee’s opinion, announced that the Petitions Committee unanimously adopted the opinion. He expressed delight at the report’s strong emphasis on key areas like employment, accessibility, education, prevention, screening, social integration through art, culture, and sport, as well as forward-looking references to AI, robotics, and accessible technologies, while stressing that priority measures and funding are essential to turn it into reality and requesting support to achieve this. He underlined the need for accessibility standards (EN 17210:2021) in the built environment.

Following a recent petition to the European Parliament calls for full linguistic and digital accessibility,  MEP Pál Szekeres has asked the Committee on Petitions to find solutions and start discussions with the relevant authorities as soon as possible to address this issue. He commented: “Everyone has the right to access EU institutions’ websites clearly and without barriers. Equal treatment is not a privilege”.

Several Intergroup Members, including MEPs Merja Kyllönen, Jagna Marczułajtis-Walczak, Chiara Gemma and Alex Agius Saliba, have submitted a written question to the European Commission regarding accessibility in EU recruitment procedures.

MEP Rosa Estaràs Ferragut:

As rapporteur of the Employment and Social Affairs committee report on the European Disability Rights Strategy post-2024, MEP Estaràs Ferragut has contributed to a balanced and ambitious text which is now ready for a plenary vote in November. If adopted, this report will be a key opportunity to reaffirm the European Parliament’s commitment to an accessible, inclusive, and supportive Europe, in which all people can fully exercise their rights and lead their lives with autonomy and dignity.

MEP Marianne Vind:

MEP Vind has been in dialogue with the Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark (DPOD) about their national campaign to combat prejudice and uncertainty around disability. The campaign is based on surveys showing that 8 out of 10 Danes feel unsure about how to interact with persons with disabilities. Danish Disability Organisations’ three-year initiative aims to break down social barriers through public awareness, education, and storytelling. MEP Vind supports this work and looks forward to following its impact on inclusion and equal opportunities.

MEP Salvatore De Meo:

On 28 October 2025, MEP De Meo met in Italy with representatives of the Progetto Filippide for Autism and Rare Diseases Association. This national organisation has promoted sports activities for athletes with intellectual disabilities for over twenty years, focusing on individuals with autism and rare diseases. It is recognised as Meritorious by the Italian Paralympic Committee and affiliated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications. The project uses long-distance running and other sports as effective tools for habilitation and rehabilitation. During the meeting, the delegation outlined the international scope of the Progetto Filippide, active in eight Italian regions and engaged in global cooperation initiatives. The association will participate in the Run For Autism on 24 May 2026 in Brussels, organised with the local municipality. MEP De Meo commended the association’s commitment to inclusion through sport and highlighted the importance of supporting projects that empower persons with disabilities, strengthen community participation, and promote international collaboration.

MEP Alex Agius Saliba:

On September 24 and 25, on behalf of the Intergroups on Mental Health and Disability, MEP Alex Agius Saliba hosted the Round Table “Focusing on the Invisible” on the occasion of the Special Olympics European Union Day. The event brought together Special Olympics delegations from across EU Member States and Members of both Integroups to discuss athletes’ personal experiences and inclusion in EU policies.

MEP Maria Walsh:

Several other Intergroup Members participated in the event hosted by MEP Saliba, including MEP Maria Walsh, who celebrated the signature of a joint declaration committing to strengthening inclusion in sport, health, and education for people with intellectual disabilities across the EU.

MEP Chiara Gemma:

All this happened during Parliament’s Sports Week, which ended with a closing speech from MEP Chiara Gemma at the ceremony of the Special Olympics. She emphasised how sport is a universal language, capable of breaking down barriers and building bridges between people, regardless of their abilities. “The event was a true celebration of values, inclusion, determination, and equality.”, she said.

Responding to Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address, MEP Langensiepen welcomed the emphasis on cohesion and justice. She noted that the strong reactions in plenary show how much is at stake and that the address showed that Europe is socially, economically, and geopolitically capable of action.

However, she expressed concern that the Commission’s 2026 work programme lacks ambition. Many proposals are non-legislative, which risks placing social justice and disability rights as optional rather than binding priorities.

As rapporteur for the Committee on Petitions’ Opinion on the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities post-2024, MEP Szekeres successfully secured the adoption of 106 out of 107 recommendations.

In the related Employment and Social Affairs Committee file, he tabled 99 amendments. These focused on stronger accessibility, harmonised autism recognition, inclusive communication, and an EU-wide jobs and skills guarantee for persons with disabilities.

As shadow rapporteur on the Ombudsman’s 2024 report, he called for consistent EU compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), faster progress on accessibility, and fair representation of persons with disabilities in EU institutions.

As shadow rapporteur for the report ‘Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Management in the Workplace – Shaping the Future of Work’, MEP Szekeres emphasised that Artificial Intelligence systems must be designed to accommodate workers with disabilities. He advocated for accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities as digital technologies reshape the workplace.

MEP Chiara Gemma:

On June 19, MEP Gemma met in Strasbourg with a delegation of the youth organisation Juppiter, composed of young persons with disabilities. The delegation presented their “Back Home” initiative, which empowers young people to lead and create community-based projects. She highlighted how such initiatives empower young people with disabilities to lead and create, and how they foster both personal growth and meaningful contributions to the community.

On May 13, MEPs Katrin Langensiepen, Jagna Marczułajtis-Walczak, Chiara Gemma, Pál Szekeres and Rosa Estaràs Ferragut contributed to the exchange of views with the Commission on the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities concluding observations on the EU, within the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.

MEP Chiara Gemma:

On May 14, she met with an EU for Trisomy 21 delegation composed of young people with Down Syndrome and their families. This meeting aimed to exchange opinions on how to implement and enhance the quality of their lives. They also exchanged on the need to import best practices among Member States to improve European cooperation on the subject.

On May 13, she held the final project conference SACREE (Sport and Autism: from a scientific diagnosis to the CREation of a pedagogical European model). Autism-Europe and project partners supported the event, providing an overview of the scientific background and project results and insights from autistic athletes and other key stakeholders. The conference aimed to share concrete guidelines and models, and methodologies to improve the quality of life for autistic people by promoting social innovation and inclusion through sports.

MEP Pál Szekeres:

In May 2025, he submitted several disability-related amendments to the motion for a European Parliament resolution on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023. He also participated in the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions (debate), drawing attention to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities, and particularly the promotion of the use of sign language.

MEP Pál Szekeres:

On April 2, he initiated and submitted in cooperation with other MEPs a question for written answer to the European Commission on the implementation and regulatory considerations for the European Disability and Parking Cards Directive. 

MEP Miriam Lexmann:

On March 18, 2025, she hosted a Disability and Art Inclusion Conference at the European Parliament. She also organised a Down Syndrome Day event featuring a coffee service run by waitresses with Down Syndrome on 19 March.

MEP Pál Szekeres:

On March 13, he contributed to the debates and resolution of disability-related petition 0856/2024 on working conditions for persons with disabilities in the EU and petition 1340/2024 on fighting bullying of people on the autism spectrum in schools.

MEP Chiara Gemma:

On March 11, 2025, during the debate on the Roadmap for Women’s Rights, she emphasised the importance of including women with disabilities in the new Roadmap presented by the European Commission to ensure greater inclusion and effectiveness of the initiative.

MEP Rosa Estaras Ferragut:

On March 4, 2025, as Vice-President of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, she organised a hearing for International Women’s Day titled “Lead, Inspire, Conquer.” The hearing was followed by the opening of an exhibition showcasing inclusive toys.

MEP Kathleen Funchion:

Speaking at the European Parliament’s Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, MEP Kathleen Funchion highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Ireland, particularly women.

MEP Jagna Marczulajtis-Walczak:

On February 21, 2025, she sent a written question to the European Commission on independent living and ongoing barriers for persons with disabilities in accessing personal assistance, accessible housing and inclusive services. The question was co-signed by several MEPs, including members of the Disability Intergroup.

MEP Katrin Langensiepen:

On February 13, 2025, she organised a photo action, urging the European Commission not to withdraw the Equal Treatment Directive. Several members of the Disability Intergroup participated in the action.

MEP Kathleen Funchion:

In February 2025, she met with the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), including Cork-based Horizons, to push for stronger EU action on disability rights. She stressed the need for policymakers to listen to grassroots organisations and prioritise social inclusion, employment opportunities, workplace accessibility, and adequate housing for people with disabilities.
She also criticised the underfunding of Ireland’s Personal Assistance Services (PAS), vital for independent living, and called for greater accessibility and addressed Ireland’s lowest-in-EU disability employment rate (32.6%), with women facing a 45% employment gap.

MEP Pál Szekeres:

In February 2025, he submitted three questions to the European Commission on EU multilingualism and the recognition of national sign languages. He also proposed several disability-related amendments in the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions, emphasising the right of deaf citizens to submit petitions in national sign language, as well as the need for reasonable accommodation, access to education, and the right to independent living.

MEP Chiara Gemma:

During a plenary session on December 19, 2024, she delivered a speech, highlighting the need for the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to be more ambitious, with binding targets for Member States, supported by adequate funding, to ensure fairer access to employment, transport, and education.
On December 3, 2024, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, she organised the event “Beyond the Obstacle”, showcasing personal testimonies on overcoming disability-related barriers.

MEP Pál Szekeres:

In December 2024, he submitted three questions to the European Commission regarding the integration of electric mopeds in Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 on passenger rights in bus and coach transport., asking for the legislation to be clarified to ensure equal access to bus and coach services for persons with disabilities.

• Article “Disability Intergroup 2019-2024: achievements of an effective ally to Disability Rights”
• Article “Disability Intergroup: Achievements of 2023”
• Article “Disability Intergroup: Achievements of 2022”
• Article “Disability Intergroup: a retrospective of the 2021 intergroup achievements on disability rights”
• Article “Taking stock of the Disability Intergroup work in 2019 and 2020”