European Commission’s proposal meets most demands of the movement– but countries must enact deeper changes for persons to move and live abroad.
Today’s proposal by the European Commission to create a European Disability Card is a real improvement to free movement for persons with disabilities.
The European disability movement warmly welcomes this initiative – a longstanding demand first presented by us over 10 years ago. We also appreciate the involvement of representative organisations of persons with disabilities during the pilot phase and the development of this proposal.
We are glad that the proposal expands the scope of the Card according to the disability movement’s demands. We especially appreciate the correct interpretation that non-nationals who are EU citizens visiting another country will get the same benefits as nationals in a wide range of services, including transport or commercial discounts.
We also positively noted that – in addition to the EU Disability Card – the Commission proposal strengthens the current legislation of the EU Parking Card from a recommendation to a Directive, ensuring an easier life and less anxiety for numerous persons with disabilities.
On the other hand, we are concerned that the EU Disability Card proposal took the form of a Directive rather than a Regulation. A Regulation, being fully binding for Member States, would have resulted in a more consistent and efficient implementation of the Card.
We also recall that this proposal is insufficient to fully ensure that persons with disabilities can live and work in another EU country on an equal basis with other citizens, as it excludes some of our key demands:
- Equal recognition of benefits for persons using EU Mobility programmes (such as ERASMUS+). This means that students who spend several months studying abroad should have the right to the same assistance and support as national students. Furthermore, universities should recognise disability status and provide the same level of support to exchange students with disabilities, for example.
- Facilitate the transition when moving to another EU Member State for work by allowing temporary access to disability allowances in the Member State while undergoing a “re-assessment” process.
Finally, the Disability movement notes that more concrete actions have to be taken to address the widespread problem of inaccessibility. Only if we have full accessibility of transport, the built environment, digital technologies, and other goods and services will freedom of movement become a reality for persons with disabilities in the EU.
Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, underlined the importance of this proposal:
This proposal shows the Commission’s commitment to advance freedom of movement for persons with disabilities. The European Disability Card will ease the daily lives of persons with disabilities visiting another country and strengthen our sense of European Citizenship.
Regarding the shortcomings of the free movement of persons with disabilities, Yannis Vardakastanis added:
While we recognise the Card as an important step, we call on the European Parliament to strengthen the Card so it can be a tool to facilitate our rights to live and work anywhere in the EU – as other citizens have. Having to have your disability “re-assessed” when moving abroad puts an undue burden on persons with disabilities – not to mention that it is an affront to our dignity. Our disability does not disappear when we cross borders.
More information
- Press release from the European Commission on the European Disability Card
- Proposal for an European Disability Card
- Proposal for an European Disability Card (Easy-to-Read version)
- European Disability Forum – European Disability Card campaign page
- European Commission – Report on public consultations
Contact
Marie Denninghaus, EDF Senior Policy Coordinator
André Félix, EDF Communications Coordinator