News

Empowerment and Leadership - Third EDF Manifesto on the Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities

It is estimated that women and girls with disabilities constitute 25.9% of the total population of women in...

EDF input to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the 2024 Justice Scoreboard

18 January 2023 The European Disability Forum (EDF), umbrella organisation defending the rights of over 100 million of...

Revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive - Proposed amendments

EDF welcomes the proposal of the European Commission to revise the Victims’ Rights Directive, including by further protecting...

Regulation on protection of adults - Proposed amendments

While we recognise the importance of conflict of laws legislation as a means to provide legal certainty, avoid...

EDF analysis of the Commission proposal for a European Disability Card

The European Commission published the proposal for a Directive establishing the European Disability Card and European Parking Card...

EDF proposed amendments to the revision of the Anti-Trafficking Directive

The European Disability Forum welcomes the revision of the Anti-Trafficking Directive. The Directive adopted in 2011 only makes...

EDF proposed amendments on the Directive for Equality Bodies

The European Disability Forum welcomes the Commission’s proposals of directives on standards for equality bodies. Equality bodies play...

EDF recommendations for European Commission’s call for evidence on mental health

The European Disability Forum (EDF) welcomes the European Commission’s call for evidence on mental health. A comprehensive and...

Feedback on European Commission's initiative: Social economy – developing framework conditions

EDF has participated in the consultation opened by the European Commission on the development of the conditions to...

EDF position paper on Mobile EU Citizens Directives

According to the European Union (EU) Treaties, EU citizenship provides for the right to vote and stand as...

Disability and Gender Gaps: Addressing unequal employment of women with disabilities

While equal access to employment has improved over the years, the labour and pay gaps remain a reality...

Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence - Proposal for amendments

In view of the recent European Commission proposal for a Directive on Combating violence against women and domestic...

Proposed amendments to the EU Regulation on the digitalisation of justice

EDF deeply regrets the absence of accessibility requirements, procedural accommodations for persons with disabilities and reference to the...

EDF Position on the European Disability Card 2022

The European Disability Card is necessary to facilitate freedom of movement for persons with disabilities in the EU,...

Ageing, Disability and Long-Term Care: Recommendations for the European Care Strategy

There are many commonalities between the barriers faced by older people and those faced by persons with disabilities....

Ensure horizontal and mainstreamed accessibility requirements for all Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and use

EU Artificial Intelligence Act – recommendations on accessibility April 2022 Why accessibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is...

Recommendations on disability rights in pre-trial detention

Detainees with disabilities continue to face many violations of their rights in EU Member States. In 2017 the European...

EDF Freedom Guide (2011)

Freedom Guide - Paving the way towards free movement for persons with disabilities (PDF) Freedom Guide - Paving...

EDF position paper: Recommended response to children from institutions in Ukraine

This document provides an initial rapid analysis of the situation for children in institutions in Ukraine. It is...

EDF recommendations for a representative, fair, and inclusive European standardisation system

EDF has submitted feedback on the public consultation for the European Commission’s proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 1025/2012...

EDF position paper on disability rights in civil judicial cooperation

This position paper was prepared to contribute to the consultation of the European Commission on Civil judicial cooperation...

Position paper on combatting trafficking in persons with disabilities

Persons with disabilities, including women and girls with disabilities are at a higher risk of exploitation and may...

Social Protection and the Welfare State: What the EU can do to support persons with disabilities

According to the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth, “social protection” can be defined as being “composed of...

EDF position paper on equality bodies legislation

Equality bodies are public independent organisations assisting victims of discrimination, monitoring and reporting on discrimination issues, and contributing...

Accessible multimodal digital mobility services

EDF has submitted feedback to the European Commission consultation on miltimodal digital mobility services. Since planning and buying...

EDF position paper on cancer screening and treatment

Recent studies show that persons with disabilities are at a higher risk to develop cancer, to receive a...

Position Paper: Recommendations on migrants at EU’s external borders – emergency measures for Latvia, Lithuania and Poland

The EU and all its Member States are bound by the United Convention on the Rights of Persons...

EDF Feedback to Call for Evidence for an Impact Assessment of EU Passenger Rights Regulations

The European Disability Forum (EDF) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to gather evidence for the purpose of assessing...

EDF Analysis of the European Commission Proposal for revising the TEN-T Regulation

This a first assessment of the European Commission’s proposal for revision of the Union guidelines for the development...

EDF input to call for evidence on EU rules on victims’ rights

EDF is concerned that EU Member States do not effectively ensure the rights of victims’ with disabilities enshrined in the Victims’ Rights Directive and the CRPD.

EDF Recommendations on the 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard

EDF calls on the European Commission to establish a “CRPD compliant-justice” indicator (similar to the“child-friendly justice” indicator already...

EDF statement on European Commission’s draft standardisation request for the European Accessibility Act

EDF welcomes the formal notification by the European Commission to the European standardisation organisations and European stakeholder organisations...

EDF input to UN Special Rapporteur’s thematic report on Artificial Intelligence and the rights of persons with disabilities

EDF has given feedback to the call for inputs for the upcoming report of the UN Special Rapporteur...

Disability perspective on Regulating Artificial Intelligence

We welcome the European Commission’s proposal for regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the EU. The proposed Regulation for...

Position Paper on the Web Directive: Public consultation response

In this paper, submitted as an annex to the online questionnaire from the European Commission’s public consultation, we outline our key asks with regards to the forthcoming review of the Directive.

Ensuring effective access to emergency services in the EU

EDF has given feedback to a European Commission roadmap consultation ahead of the publication of a draft delegated...

EDF position paper on the reform of the European Union Electoral Law

Right to vote and stand as candidate for persons with disabilities in the European Parliament elections.

EDF feedback on EU consultation for transport contingency plans

What lessons should EU draw from COVID-19 effect on passenger rights and accessible transport? How can EU best...

EDF reply to EC consultation on the Urban Mobility Framework

This public consultation aims to gather the views of individuals and stakeholders to help the Commission to propose a new EU urban mobility framework. It will seek information and feedback in relation to the overall aims of the planned EU Urban Mobility Initiative (PLAN/2020/8676).

EDF Position Paper on European Commission’s draft Standardisation Request for the European Accessibility Act

EDF welcomes the European Commission’s draft standardisation request to the European standardisation organisations (ESOs) as regards the accessibility...

EDF feedback to Public consultation on a set of European Digital Principles

The European Disability Forum (EDF) has replied to the European Commission's public consultation on the Declaration of Digital Principles....

Improving Disability Assessment Procedures in the European Union

The methods for assessing disability, granting disability allowance and providing social protection to citizens with disabilities vary substantially from one Member State to another. How exactly would existing disability assessment methods need to change to be CRPD-compliant?

EDF Recommendations to Digital Compass Policy Programme - Roadmap consultation

The European Disability Forum (EDF) has replied to the European Commission’s planned Digital Compass Policy Programme initative roadmap...

EDF’s recommendations for the European Commission’s evaluation of patient rights in cross-border healthcare

Access to health is a fundamental human right of persons with disabilities. It is recognised and protected under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ratified by the European Union and all its Member States, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Find out the key findings of the report on access to cross-border healthcare by patients with disabilities that EDF will publish in September 2021.

EDF recommendations on draft Council Conclusions on the Disability Rights Strategy

EDF proposals for amendments to the Pay Transparency Directive

In view of the recent European Commission proposal for a Directive on Pay Transparency establishing minimum requirements to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanism, EDF would like to stress their points.

EDF recommendations on standardisation for the European Accessibility Act

In this document we summarise our main recommendations on the European Commission’s standardisation request for the European Accessibility...

Rail Passengers' Rights - Analysis of text adopted

On this analysis EDF explain the changes that were adopted in the revised Regulation and how they will affect persons with disabilities once the text enters into force in 2023.

EDF Recommendations for a Disability-inclusive Roaming Regulation

The European Commission published a proposal for the recast Roaming Regulation[1]. It is as an opportunity to strengthen...

EDF Position Paper on Union Guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T)

This Position Paper aims to contribute to the revision of the EU Regulation on Union Guidelines for the...

EDF position on Assistive Technologies

EDF position on access, barriers and policy recommendations about Assistive Technologies.

EDF position paper on Violence against women and girls with disabilities in the European Union

This document was prepared to contribute to the consultation on domestic and gender-based violence organised by the European Commission. It provides recommendations to the European Union on initiatives necessary to end gender-based violence and violence against women and girls in all their diversity in the EU, including women and girls with disabilities.

The Implementation of CRPD Article 19 by the European Union

As a Party to the CRPD, the EU has put in place a number of measures to implement Article 19. Given the way policy competence is shared between the EU and its 27 Member States, the EU does not have a remit to prohibit the construction of institutions for persons with disabilities.

EU global role in COVID 19 response and impact on lives of persons with disabilities

This report focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with disabilities globally and to what extent the EU response and recovery plans worldwide have been disability-inclusive. In particular, we provide an overview of the legal and policy frameworks the EU must respect during this crisis.

EDF position and recommendation on hate speech and hate crime

The European Disability Forum welcomes the commitment of the European Commission to protect the rights of victims in the European Union (EU) and the initiative to extend the list of EU crimes in Article 83(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to hate speech and hate crime.

Implementing the EU Pillar of Social Rights

This position paper outlines the reaction of the European Disability Forum (EDF), to the Commission’ communication on “A...

EDF Position Paper on the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act

This document summarizes our main position on the European Commission's proposals for the Digital Services Act and Digital...

EDF recommendations for strengthening the EU Parking Card 2020

EDF recommendations for strengthening the EU Parking Card 2020 [898KB doc] Executive summary This position paper describes the...

EDF Input on General Comment on Employment - Article 27 CRPD

EDF Input on Article 27 General Comment

Summary of EDF’s first reactions EU Disability Rights Strategy

We are pleased to see that the EU Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030 is a clear step forward in comparison to the previous Strategy. It is also to be highly commended that the European Commission (EC) took the process of consultation with disability organisations very seriously.

2021 EU Justice Scoreboard

Persons with disabilities living in the EU continue to face major barriers in accessing the justice system. As a consequence, they may not have their right to an effective remedy fulfilled in violation with article 47 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, EU directives on access to justice and the CRPD which impact the EU as a whole. EDF welcomes the roadmap consultation on the EU Justice Scoreboard and set some recommendations in this position paper.

European Health Union Package

The European Disability Forum calls on the European Commission to incorporate the rights of persons with disabilities in its 3 proposals for regulations part of the European Health Union Packages through this position paper.

Ensuring adequate wages and workers’ rights for persons with disabilities

Here we will explore a few of the main challenges faced by workers with disabilities when it comes to escaping in-work poverty and look at what an EU Directive on adequate minimum wage would have to do to help remedy the situation.

Action plan on integration and inclusion of migrants and people of migrant background

Refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities face the same risks as other refugees, however compounded by many other issues. Consult in EDF position paper the main recommendations for the Action Plan on integration and inclusion of migrants and people of migrant background.

Digital Services Act

EC Digital Services Act (doc) EC Digital Services Act (pdf)

Digital Education Action Plan 2020

Digital Education Action Plan 2020 (doc)

Artificial Intelligence

EDF Position on EC AI White Paper (doc) EDF Position on EC AI White Paper (PDF)

Council Presidencies

Disability Priorities for the Presidency Trio Germany - Portugal - Slovenia (PDF)

Air Passengers' Rights

EDF Position on Air Passengers' Rights for Persons with Disabilities 2020

An inclusive EU Green Deal for Europe

This document highlights the measures that should be included to ensure the EU deal is inclusive, building a better society for us all, in Europe and around the world.

Rail Passengers' Rights

EDF Position Paper on Rail Passengers' Rights for the Trilogue negotiations (Word) EDF Position Paper on Rail Passengers'...

EU Green Deal

EDF's response to the public consultation on the "Climate Pact" (PDF)

Social Rights

A Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions: Implementing the EU Pillar of Social Rights

EU Strategy for Victims' Rights

EDF recommendations on the EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights (2020-2024) (PDF) EDF recommendations on the EU Strategy on...

Electronic Communications Code Toolkit

EDF toolkit on transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code (PDF) EDF toolkit on transposition of the European...

Equal access and choice to electronic communications

EDF Recommendations on equal access and choice to electronic communications services (Word) EDF Recommendations on equal access and...

Refugees and migrants with disabilities

EDF Toolkit on inclusion of refugees with disabilities

Council of the EU

Disability Priorities for the Croatian Presidency of the Council 2020

The Role of DPOs in International Cooperation

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) laid a firm foundation for ensuring...

EU Gender Equality Strategy post 2019

During the last decade, the European Commission adopted a Strategy for equality between women and men 2010-2015 and...

BEREC Guidelines detailing Quality of Service Parameters

General comment on the guidelines: Mainstream accessibility - Quality measurement parameters should set accessibility of services as one...

Disability Card

EDF started first campaigning for the introduction of a European Disability Card (then known as “European Mobility Card”)...

Accessibility of Audiovisual Media

The Audiovisual Media Services Directive or AVMSD (referred to as the Directive throughout this text) was adopted on...

EU Regulation 1300/2014 on the technical specifications for interoperability relating to accessibility of the Union's rail system for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility - TSI PRM

EU Regulation 1300/2014 on the technical specifications for interoperability relating to accessibility of the Union's rail system for...

European Accessibility Act

The European Accessibility Act is a landmark agreement reached after decade-long campaigning by the European disability movement. The...

Draft implementing regulation on establishing a contract summary template for publicly available electronic communications service providers (EECC)

There are several aspects when it comes to the accessibility for persons with disabilities of the contract summary...

Council of the EU

In this document, you will find a short summary of policy items that will be decided or discussed...

Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Guidelines – evaluation

The EU holds responsibility on infrastructure policy - in the fields of transport, energy and telecommunications - since...

Sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls with disabilities

At EDF, we work a lot on the rights of women with disabilities too. We have a group...

Rail Passengers' Rights

These are EDF’s proposed amendments following the European Parliament’s vote on 15 November 2018 and the publication of...

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence will have huge implications on the lives of all citizens, including persons with disabilities who can...

Web Accessibility Directive

Within the development of the Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public...

Instrument for Pre-Accession II

We welcome the European Commission’s (EC) legislative proposal of 14 June 2018 for a regulation establishing the Instrument...

European Solidarity Corps

EDF welcomes the European Commission’s initiative on European Solidarity Corps. Ahead of submitting its response to the second...

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

Transport accessibility in the EU is not optional, it is a legal obligation under the United Nations Convention...

Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, a new universal ambition was agreed on by world leaders with the adoption of the 2030...

Multi-annual Financial Framework 2021-2027

In 2013, EDF welcomed the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) regulations for the period 2014-2020 as...

Web Accessibility Directive

Within the development of the Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public...