From 1 January to 30 June 2025, Poland held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. But how inclusive was it for persons with disabilities? The European Disability Forum (EDF), in collaboration with its Polish members, monitored and evaluated its performance through a dedicated scorecard.
Polish Presidency of the Council: gaps in inclusion and accessibility
Download EDF scorecard on Polish Presidency (Accessible PDF)
Poland showed willingness to include disability in its Presidency programme and dedicated a specific event to disability, with representation at a high political level.
However:
- Stronger mainstreaming of disability rights and accessibility across all events and meetings would have been needed.
- More tangible outcomes, such as Council recommendations or conclusions, would also have been preferable.
- In addition, National Organisations of Persons with Disabilities should have been involved to a much greater extent throughout the Presidency.
EDF scorecard on the EU Council Presidencies’ progress on disability rights
The EDF scorecard is designed to evaluate how effectively the EU Council Presidencies prioritise and address the needs of persons with disabilities within the EU agenda. It focuses on three key areas:
- Disability inclusiveness
- Inclusion of the disability movement
- Accessibility
The scorecard assesses the progress made during the Presidency, providing key insights and actionable recommendations to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld.