Our position paper advocates for improved access to high-quality rehabilitation and habilitation services across the EU. This paper outlines international legal frameworks, existing challenges, and concrete recommendations for EU and national authorities.
What you will find:
- Defining Rehabilitation and Habilitation: Rehabilitation helps individuals regain lost functions, while habilitation supports those with early-life disabilities in developing skills for independence both including medical, non-medical, and assistive technology interventions.
- Legal Frameworks: The UN CRPD guarantees the right to rehabilitation, stressing early, voluntary, and community-based approaches. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Rehabilitation 2030 initiative further underscores its global importance.
- Barriers: Challenges include inaccessible facilities and transport, high costs, service shortages, lack of qualified professionals, and issues of informed consent.
- Current EU Actions: While the EU lacks a dedicated rehabilitation policy, various social inclusion programs address related issues. However, access remains inconsistent across Member States.
- Recommendations: The EU and Member States must take decisive action to ensure equal, affordable, and quality rehabilitation and habilitation services for all persons with disabilities.