European Disability Forum

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Statement: We demand strong action to reduce poverty of persons with disabilities in EU

Statement: We demand strong action to reduce poverty of persons with disabilities in EU

Situation has gotten worse in many countries since 2010

Mathieu was deported from the UK to France because he was a “undue burden”. Luminita didn’t receive an education and was withheld wages. Victoria was fired because of her disability.

More than 1 in 4 (28.7%) persons with disabilities live in poverty today. In 11 countries more persons with disabilities live in poverty today than 10 years ago. This is why today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we launched a statement calling on the EU and EU countries to take strong action to reduce poverty. We specifically call on countries to fix disability assessment processes, improve disability benefits and invest in accessibility, support structures and support services.

The EU and all EU countries ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We demand them to honour their commitments and ensure persons with disabilities live with dignity in the community.

Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum said:

“EU countries are failing their citizens with disabilities. They need to act now to ensure that we can live our lives with dignity, to ensure we are not left behind.”

Related documents

Related visuals

Map of percentage of persons with disabilities at risk of poverty and social exclusion by Member State coulours in yellow for countries with less 25% risk (Slovakia 18.4%, Czechia 23.8%, France 21%, Austria 21.7%, Netherlands 22.7%, Finland 22.5%, Denmark 23.5%, Slovenia 24%); Orange for countries with 25%-35% risk (Luxembourg 28.8%; Poland 29.5%, Hungary 27.4%, Portugal 28.7 %, Italy 30%, Spain 31.1%, UK 32.2%, Sweden 30.1%, Malta 30%, Germany 31.2%, Belgium 30.5%, Cyprus 34.1%, Greece 32.3%; Red for countries with >35% (Romania 37.6%, Croatia 37.1%, Ireland 38.1% Latvia 43.6%, Lithuania 43% , Estonia 41.7%, Bulgaria 49.4%

Map with increased risk of poverty and social exclusion for persons with disabilities in percentage points by Member State” Coloured Yellow for countries with <5 percentage points increase (Greece 1 percentage points, Italy 4.5 percentage points, Slovakia 4.9 percentage points); Orange for countries with 5-15 percentage points, darker colour: Spain 7 percentage points, Netherlands 8.5 percentage points, Romania 8.4 percentage points, France 6.7 percentage points, Luxembourg 9.9 percentage points, Austria 7.6 percentage points, Finland 9.1 percentage points, Denmark 7.9 percentage points, Poland 12.9 percentage points, Slovenia 11.1 percentage points, Portugal 10.6 percentage points, Hungary 12.4 percentage points, Cyprus 13.7 percentage points, Czechia 13.5 percentage points, Malta 13.2 percentage points, Sweden 14.7 percentage points; Red for >15 percentage points (UK 15.3 percentage points, Bulgaria 19.5 percentage points, Croatia 17.9 percentage points, Germany 15.1 percentage points, Belgium 15.2 percentage points, Ireland 19.1 percentage points, Estonia 22.5 percentage points, Lithuania 20.5 percentage points , Latvia 22.4 percentage points

Notes to editors

The European Disability Forum is an umbrella organisation of persons with disabilities that defends the interests of 100 million Europeans with disabilities. EDF is a unique platform which brings together representative organisations of persons with disabilities from across Europe. It is run by persons with disabilities and their families. EDF is a strong, united voice of persons with disabilities in Europe