News

Portugal has just taken over the rotating presidency of Council of the European Union, following the German Presidency....

Yesterday, 13th of January, the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli met with EDF President Yannis Vardakastanis...

We have joined EDRi (European Digital Rights network) and number of social partners in an open letter to...

The Youth Committee is a Specific Target Committee of the European Disability Forum (EDF). It is composed of...

New Pact on Migration and Asylum is a missed opportunity for people with disabilities and mental health problems....

Persons with disabilities are not all the same but a very heterogeneous group. EDF fights for the rights...

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted by unanimity, and without any abstention, an opinion about the...

We are recruiting a part-time staff member- VIVID-T Digital Accessibility Trainer for a 1-year project Please note that...

EDF welcomes the inclusion of the rights of persons with disabilities in the EUs newly launched Action Plan...

Brussels, December 10th, 2020 Dear Commissioner, The European Disability Forum is an umbrella organisation of persons with disabilities...

The European Union is currently working on two important policies for children’s rights: the EU strategy on children...

Last week, as part of our advocacy against the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention, EDF sent...

3 decembrie 2020 De Ziua Internațională a Persoanelor cu Dizabilități, Intergrupul pentru persoanele cu dizabilități din Parlamentul European...

Při příležitosti Mezinárodního dne osob se zdravotním postižením vzdáváme v meziskupině Evropského parlamentu pro práva osob se zdravotním...

3 dicembre 2020 Nella giornata internazionale delle persone con disabilità, l'Intergruppo disabilità del Parlamento europeo vuole rendere un...

3 de Dezembro 2020 No Dia Internacional das Pessoas com Deficiência, o Intergrupo de Pessoas com Deficiência do...

3 de diciembre de 2020 En el Día Internacional de las Personas con Discapacidad, el Intergrupo sobre Discapacidad...

Erklärung der Interparlamentarischen Arbeitsgruppe Behinderung - 3. Dezember 2020 Am Internationalen Tag der Menschen mit Behinderungen möchte die...

3 décembre 2020 À l'occasion de la Journée internationale des personnes handicapées, l'intergroupe "Handicap" du Parlement européen souhaite...

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the European Parliament Disability Intergroup wants to pay a deserved...

On 1 December, within the European Day of Persons with Disabilities, the winner of the 11th edition of...

On the occasion of the European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020 (#EDPD2020) EDF Youth Committee would like...

This year, we were looking for photos showing inaccessible places for persons with disabilities in various areas of...

The European Standardization Organizations CEN and CENELEC approved the first European standard on the accessibility and usability of...

The 13th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with...

The 13th session of the Conference of the States parties to the Convention on the rights of persons...

On Monday, November 23rd, the EDF President, Yannis Vardakastanis, met with Dr. Hans Kluge, Regional Representative for WHO...

The Convention The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violencebetter know...

European Disability Forum statement on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women....

As part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by ACI Europe and the European Disability Forum (EDF) in...

The whole of Europe is currently experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infection, even stronger than in March....

On Friday 30th October, the event “COVID-19 and Disability” took place together with Lebenshilfe, a German organisation of...

A new advocacy resource for anyone wanting to influence decisions affecting the lives of people with disabilities in...

On Friday 30th October, the event “COVID-19 and Disability” took place together with Lebenshilfe, a German organisation of persons...

The Commission’s President Ursula Von der Leyen, in her State of the Union speech stated: ‘Europe needs to...

When the review of the rail passengers’ rights was launched, we had high hopes. After all, with the...

Last Friday the EC published its roadmap on the post-2020 European Disability Strategy, to be adopted in the 1st quarter 2021....

On the 21st October 2020, the consortium members of the EU-funded VIVID-T project launched its first conference on inclusive volunteering and...

EDF fully supports this call from Belarusian and international human rights Organisation for the immediate release of Oleg...

The European Disability Forum is concerned that existing policies on asylum and migration, including the newly adopted Asylum...

We recently uploaded the video of the online event co-organised by EDF and the European Commission on 23 September, the deadline...

Today the Human Rights Council of the United Nations appointed Professor Gerard Quinn as the new UN Special...

In Europe, we pride ourselves on our solidarity. We are a continent with a long history of strong...

Representatives of Member States and the European Parliament reached a political agreement on 1st October. The text of...

Ever wondered how the CEDAW Committee works, and why you should engaged? How can you contribute to the...

Thursday, 24 September. Renata Deszo-Dinnyes, doctoral student at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest is the winner...

As of today, all European public-sector bodies are legally obliged to have websites that are accessible for all...

EDF responded the public consultation launched by the European Commission on the upcoming European Democracy Action Plan. In our...

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) sets new European Union (EU) wide minimum accessibility requirements for a range of products...

TO: Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Council of Europe Avenue de l'Europe F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex,...

The European Commission is organising a consultation on the digitalisation of justice (deadline 10th of September). The objective of the initiative...

To: President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli Members of the European Parliament President of the European Council,...

The European Disability Forum calls on all EU institutions and international organisations to act swiftly to ensure the...

My name is Nina Portolan, I am 23 years old and I am from Serbia I am a...

Happy International Youth Day! In a few days we will be publishing an edition of our newsletter the...

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to create a comprehensive, sustainable and crisis-proof framework for managing asylum and...

The EU strategy on children rights for 2021-2024 will provide the framework for EU action to better promote and protect children’s...

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable development was held between 7-16 July 2020, and took place online because of...

On July the 8th, the European Disability Forum held the webinar “COVID-19 recovery and the EU Budget: influencing...

The European Commission published a EU Strategy for victims’ rights for the next five years (2020-2025) in June. EU laws...

Our “EU Disability Rights Agenda” campaign shares our demands for the next 10 years. We are launching this...

Content warning: death, abuse We are asking the European Parliament to investigate the impact of the pandemic in...

Our “EU Disability Rights Agenda” campaign shares our demands for the next 10 years. We are launching this...

Today, the European Disability Forum (EDF) was invited to participate in the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) Network High-level Panel...

The European Parliaments resolution adopted yesterday by an overwhelming majority of parliamentarians (653 votes in favour, 6 against, and 29...

The European Disability Forum is delighted to now be a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN)....

We and 3 partner organisations published an open letter demanding that the European Year of the Rail focus on the...

Pre-notification for assistance must go. “I don't always know 2 days in advance I will need to travel....

We have submitted our response to the European Commission’s public consultation for its White Paper on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The White paper is...

This article is from the fourth edition of the Disability Voice 2020 (May 18th) The European disability rights movement has...

On April 30th the Disability Intergroup, with our support as their secretariat organised an online meeting with the participation...

Covid-19 and confinement measures have hit persons with disabilities particularly hard. This has occurred mostly due to the...

Title quote by Anis Akhtar from Oppression squared: D/deaf and disabled trans experiences in Europe LGBTI+ persons are persons...

Dear Mr Vardakastanis, I refer to your letter of 23 April, which raises important questions about the impact...

Our President spoke at a high-level meeting of the Commission COVID-19 and European Social services attended by EU...

On April 30th the Disability Intergroup, with the support of its secretariat the European Disability Forum, organised an online...

8 organisations strongly condemned the discriminatory actions that Romanian authorities took in relation to the outbreak of COVID-19...

For a Europe that cares for all – during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond Democracy - Inclusion -...

Availability and affordability of accessible communications services has probably never been as crucial. The response to covid19 pandemic...

We launched the fourth edition of our Human Rights Report which looks at poverty and social exclusion of persons...

We demand immediate earmarking of funding from the recently adopted European Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative and funding initiatives...

Article written by Luisa Bosiso Fazzi and edited by EDF secretariat. The Italian presidency of the Council of...

In a letter addressed to European Commission President Von der Leyen and EU Council President Michel published today,...

To the Attention of President of the European Council Charles Michel President of the European Commission Ursula Von...

To the Attention of President of the European Council Charles Michel President of the European Commission Ursula Von...

To the break barriers faced by victims with disabilities, EDF calls for the adoption of an ambitious and...

Joint Statement by European Disability Forum, European Network on Independent Living, European Deafblind Union Advice from governments, in...

The International Disability Alliance (IDA) urges the World Health Organisation (WHO) to denounce the medical ethical guidelines that...

Our member Light for the World provided us with the following analysis of the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan from...

We are very concerned by the situation of persons with disabilities living in institutions. The estimated 1 million...

by EDF Board Member Giampiero Griffo Originally published in Italian - L’istituzionalizzazione delle persone con disabilità e l’emergenza che...

This is a translated version of the statement “la strage degli innocent” signed by several Italian organisations  ...

We updated our "Open letter to leaders at the EU and in EU countries: COVID-19 – Disability inclusive...

On Sunday 22 March there was an earthquake in Zagreb which caused heavy damage to the city. All...

Article by Luisa Bosiso Fazzi, EDF Board Member and of the Italian Disability Forum. Original version in italian on...

We updated our "Open letter to leaders at the EU and in EU countries: COVID-19 – Disability inclusive...

We are extremely worried with reports stating that, in some countries, medical guidelines for the COVID 19 pandemic...

As the situation continues to develop, we at EDF are adding more measures to our open letter to...

We are extremely worried with reports stating that, in some countries, medical guidelines for the COVID 19 pandemic...

Here is a suggested checklist for organizers running on accessible online meetings. It was put together by our...

Dear sisters with disabilities in Europe and dear women from the European disability movement, The crisis caused by...

To: Ms. Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission Ms. Helena Dalli Commissioner for Equality Mr....

Below you will find a list of resources in relation to COVID-19. You should also read: our demands...

The following is an excerpt of our European Human Rights Report - issue 3 Black and Minority Ethnic persons with...

It is with great sorrow that we learned of the passing of Alain Faure, former EDF Executive Committee...

These are some activities that our members are actively working on as a response to the COVID pandemic....

In the light of the current pandemic and its disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities, the European Disability...

In the light of the current pandemic and its disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities, the European Disability...

On the 9th March 2020, the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy...

Wemove and the European Disability Forum launched the petition “Train Travel for all”. The petition calls on MEP Liberadzski,...

On International Women’s Day, we call on EU Institutions to ensure the rights of women and girls with...

On Thursday 5th March, representatives of the European Disability Forum (EDF), the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), Abilis Foundation and Bridging the...

We are deeply concerned that neither the European Union (EU) nor EU countries have nominated candidates to the...

To: Ms Helga Maria Schmid, Secretary-General European External Action Service (EEAS) CC Lotte Knudsen Managing Director, Human Rights,...

During the last week of February 2020, we warmly welcomed the Executive members of the International Disability Alliance...

3 March 2020 Dear colleague MEP Mr Boguslaw Liberadzki, We are writing to you in your quality as...

Dear colleague MEP Mr Boguslaw Liberadzki, We are writing to you in your quality as rapporteur of the...

On 28 February 2020, members of the Executive Committee of the International Disability Alliance (IDA) as well as the European...

On the 27th February, EDF attended an event organised by the EU project Bridging the Gap. The event...

In December 2020, the mandate of 12 member of the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

14 February 2020 The Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament selected its Bureau during a meeting on the...

The Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament selected its Bureau during a meeting on the 13 February attended...

On Thursday 6 February, representatives of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and of the International Disability and Development...

In 2016, before the Brexit referendum, the European Disability Forum expressed its strong commitment to a united Europe...

For the fifth year we have launched the Accessible Airport Award in cooperation with Airport Council International Europe...

After new disability strategy post-2020 was confirmed by Commissioner Helena Dalli on the 16 January this year, Members...

It is with sorrow that we learned about the tragic death of 8 people during a fire in...

Our partners W3C/WAI have launched the online course Introduction to Web Accessibility. What is the course? This self...

We are happy to announce that the European Parliament’s Disability Intergroup was officially re-established on the 16 January...

Statement from the European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based care The “Towards Inclusion” conference...

Today, Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli confirmed that the European Commission is committed to present a strengthened European...

Deadline: 6th March 2020 (23:59 CET) EDF and Oracle have launched the fourth edition of our scholarship for...

During European Disability and Development Week 2019, we hosted a roundtable alongside Light for the World on the...

In December 2019, EDF had the pleasure to welcome a delegation from our Innovation to Inclusion (i2i) programme....

We welcome the agreement on parts of the text of a regulation that will apply to a number...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

Several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on the Commission to announce its commitment to a new...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

Terms and acronyms DG - Directorate General EC - European Commission Council - European Council EP - European...

On Thursday, the 12 December, representatives of the European Disability Forum met with Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli....

To: Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, European Commission Climate Change is an existential threat...

The European Disability Forum (EDF) organized the second webinar series on the 11th of December 2019, as part...

It is with great sorrow that we learned of the death of Domenico Lenarduzzi, ex-Director General for Education...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

The European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (also called FEMM Committee) is a specialised group...

Situation has gotten worse in many countries since 2010 Mathieu was deported from the UK to France because...

The general approach agreed by the Council on the Rail Passenger’s Rights Regulation does not improve on the...

The Women’s Committee of EDF met a day before the European Day of Persons with Disabilities in Brussels...

The most current and accurate estimate points at over 100 million persons with disabilities living in the European...

From the 19th to 22rd November 2019, delegates from EDF met with DPO representatives working at grassroots level...

On the World Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we are calling on the European Union...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

Today, we are launching the “toolkit for transposition” of the Audio-visual Media Services Directive. This document outlines how...

On Friday, the 8 November, representatives of the European Disability Forum and of the Finnish Disability Forum met...

The European Network of (Ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP) and the European Disability Forum strongly condemn the...

To: Mr Joost Korte Director-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) CC Ms Emmanuelle Grange, Head of...

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the European Disability Forum - Helsinki, Finland, 9-10 November 2019 Beyond...

The Board meeting of EDF took place on the 8 and 9 November in Helsinki, Finland. Representatives of...

As part of EDF's campaign on the Rail Passengers' Rights Regulation (1371/2007) which is currently under revision, we...

On Tuesday, the 12 November, representatives of the European Disability Forum met with Commissioner-Designate for Jobs, Nicolas Schmit....

The European Disability Forum (EDF) organized the first webinar series on the 29th of October 2019 to present...

Last week our Vice-President Pat Clarke and new colleague Aoife Price participated in a European-wide training event at...

Pirkko Mahlamäki, EDF and the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) Executive Committee member participated last week in the Beijing...

On Tuesday, the 29 October, representatives of the European Disability Forum, led by our President Yannis Vardakastanis met...

To mark UN Day, we launched a guide on how to engage with the UN Committee on the Rights...

On the 3 and 4 of October, the University of Lund and Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights...

Our member, the Brain Injured & Families - European Confederation celebrated its 20th anniversary on the October 4...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

Last week, EDF participated in the Washington Group on Disability Statistics which came together for its 19th meeting...

Did EU know? is our series on the European Union, its institutions and processes, and their jargon. You...

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17...

As part of EDFs International Cooperation Strategy, we are exploring the current role of DPOs in International Cooperation....

When Horst tried to take an early morning train to a meeting with the German ministry of Health,...

The annual European Development Days (EDD) organised by the European Commission in Brussels took place on the 18th...

EDF urges the decision makers to make the new Eramus+ programme (2021-2027) inclusive both in theory and practice....

The differences between how two visually impaired workers were treated at different branches of the cosmetics company reveal...

It was a pleasure for EDF to organise and host the second visit of Indian organisations of persons...

Yesterday, the European Commission launched procedures against 7 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain) for infringing...

New York, U.S.A., 23 July 2019 The High Level Political Forum (HLPF) is now over! The European Disability...

Greetings from New York! When this newsletter is out, I will be at the High Level Political Forum on...

Ruling against Ştefan Stoian fails to protect the right to education of learners with disabilities, and blames their...

Ana Lucía Arellano, Chair of the International Disability Alliance (IDA), visited Brussels from the 31st of May to...

European Development Days (EDD), organised by the European Commission took place in Brussels on the 18th and 19th...

The European Accessibility Act was published today in the Offical Journal of the EU (read it in your...

On the 5th June, the European Commission released its Country Specific Recommendations to all 28 Member States as...

This compilation is not exhaustive and provide the most recent submissions and declarations related to the opposition to...

It was a pleasure for EDF to organise and host the second visit of local Indian organisations of...

When Sarah Rennie arrived at the polling station, she was met with locked doors and a broken bell....

The Discover EU programme that is already known is going to be part of the New Erasmus+ Programme...

this is the post about petition

Inclusion Europe, the European Disability Forum and the European Women’s Lobby express their concern about the lack of women with...

Joint statement by European Disability Forum, Inclusion Europe, Autism Europe and European Down Syndrome Association It was with...

For the third year in the row, EDF attended the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva, on...

Last week the European Standard EN 17161:2019 ‘Design for All - Accessibility following a Design for All approach...

Last Friday EDF submitted a written feedback on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) High Level Group - Draft Ethics...

In a decision released on the 20 December, the European ombudsman declares that, while it is satisfied with...

EDF was delighted to welcome five Indians delegates last week in Brussels, for the European Disability and Development...

In the context of the European Disability and Development Week, the European Union, Sightsavers, Bridging the Gap and...

We were extremely shocked and outraged to learn about the horrible comments made by Icelandic MPs against its...

The DiscoverEU program opens is second round of applications today. The initiative aims to provide free “Interrail” passes...

The European Parliament approved revised electronic communications rules on the 14 November. The so-called recast of the European...

By Board Member Vera Bonvalot We all know that EDF undertakes proactive, own initiative efforts that benefit Europeans...

Recently the European Commission published in the Official Journal of the European Union two implementing decisions detailing the...

A broad majority of Members of the European Parliament adopted today the new Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD),...

It is with great sorrow that we learned of the death of Kalle Könkkölä, a champion of disability...

The European Disability Forum endorsed the Charter for Change during the Global Disability Summit, a “first of its...

New York, 20 July 2018. The third edition of the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) has now ended....

Version Française By Albert Prévos Translated by André Félix On the 9th July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced...

On the 5 and 6 June 2018, the European Disability Forum participated in the European Development Days (EDD)...

Persons institutionalised in another country far from their family and community. Families waiting for more than 15 years...

The Council’s proposal to exclude Public Safety Answering Points (centres answering emergency calls) from the upcoming European Accessibility...

The Europass portal, is an EU-funded online tool designed to help Europeans create an online CV and a...

In February, we were invited to a consultation meeting by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian...

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is looking at how to help people with disabilities move...

Brussels, 13th March 2018 Whereas the European Union (EU), as a Party to the United Nations Convention on...

We attended the second Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. The forum focuses on monitoring the achievement of the...

More than 600 persons with disabilities from all over Europe met on 6 December at the European Parliament...

On 29th November, the European Disability Forum and Google held a joint event in the European Parliament on...

On the 17 and 18 October 2017, a technical workshop took place in Brussels organised by the United...

On the 2nd anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thousands of citizens in more than 109 countries...

The 2017 meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) took place from 10 -19 July...

On Monday, a delegation of the European Disability Forum (EDF) was invited by the new UN Economic Commission...

On 7 June 2017, the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament in collaboration with the European Disability Forum...

On 19 May 2017, the Council adopted a new European Consensus on Development. This joint statement by the...

From 22-26 of May 2017, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction took place in Cancun, Mexico. We...

EDF members training workshop on inclusive accessible disaster risk reduction In cooperation with CBM and United Nations Office...

Since 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been celebrated annually on 3 December around...

Happy Children’s Day everyone! Children with disabilities have the right to the same life as all other children....

Today the UN General Assembly adopts the new International Development Framework known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable...

Commissioner Mimica commits to support disability-inclusive development within the EU On 5 March, representatives of the European Disability...

On Friday 25th September, 15 members of the European Coalition to end violence against women and girls have written an...