Brussels, 6 January 2025
Dear Members of the Disability movement,
Firstly, thank you for the congratulations and for reaching out to me with your recommendations for my mandate.
Let me assure you about the continuous commitment of the European Commission to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities, and to improving their lives, fully implementing the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities (2021-2030). The Strategy is our tool to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
As you rightly point out in your letter, almost all flagship initiatives of the Strategy have been delivered at this point.The Strategy states that the Commission will prepare a report in 2024 assessing the progress on implementing and, if necessary, updating our goals and actions. My services are currently working on this report. We intend to discuss the progress and the remaining gaps with all relevant actors, including the Disability movement, the European Parliament, and the Member States.
We are also preparing the Commission’s dialogue with the UN Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to be held in March 2025. This will help to identify the remaining gaps and barriers to building a Union of inclusion and equality for persons with disabilities.
Currently, I intend to focus on three key areas:
Firstly, disability rights should become a reality, which means putting into action the EU rules. To achieve this, we must fully implement the European Accessibility Act and related standards. The European Disability Card and the European Parking Card should also
become operational by 2028.
Secondly, we will work to help people with disabilities fully participate in our economy and society. Building on the Disability Employment Package, we will continue supporting Member States to close the employment gap. This will contribute to meeting key targets on jobs, skills, and poverty reduction from the Porto agenda. The Commission also intends to build on the Guidance on independent living and ensure it is fully integrated across all funding streams.
Thirdly, as you rightly pointed out in your letter, disability policy cuts across many areas. I intend to work closely with my colleagues to ensure proper disability mainstreaming in all policy and legislation.
Thank you once more for your letter and for the commitment of the Disability movement to support the Commission in our activities.
Yours sincerely,
Hadja Lahbib