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.

We describe the situation of persons with disabilities in the world during this pandemic and the barriers and human rights violations they have faced. We reviewed the EU response to the pandemic globally and more specifically the response of “Team Europe” to COVID- 19, the actions the EU has taken at the UN level, in its work in international cooperation and in relation to the COVID-19 vaccines.

The report provides recommendations to the EU and to us in the disability movement on the ways forward to respond to the pandemic while respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities, including on inclusive vaccination.