We note that this year’s State of the European Union had, again, real-time interpretation in international sign hosted on the Commission’s YouTube page – and advertised on the Parliament’s website and the institutions’ social media accounts. This is the second time international sign interpretation has been offered at the address of the State of the European Union.
We call now on the European Parliament and the European Commission to move towards full accessibility of the address by:
- Real-time captioning provided by a professional service provider.
- Interpretation in national sign languages.
- Provide an easy-to-read version of the address.
- Provide an international sign version in the official page of the speech.
The Forum was not able to locate any of the above-mentioned accessibility measures.
We note that – unlike in 2023 – no proactive efforts from the disability movement were necessary to ensure international sign. Nevertheless, the Forum will monitor and advocate for more accessibility measures for all Institutions’ broadcasts and events.
Main messages related to disability
We note the commitment to a ‘Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children’. We expect the Summit to involve organisations of persons with disabilities and to take specific measures to support children with disabilities. Families more at risk of exclusion such as parents living with or caring for children with disabilities, single-parent households, and families with children who resided in segregating institutions, also need to be centred in response. This response must include allocating the necessary resources to trace, track and return these children to their rightful homes.
We urge the Commission to increase its pressure on the Israeli government to ensure disability-inclusive humanitarian aid enters Gaza. Most of all, we call for redoubled efforts to secure a ceasefire and specific support to Palestinians with disabilities.
The President also renewed the Commission’s commitment to a Quality Jobs Act, a new anti-poverty strategy, a European affordable housing plan and a slew of other measures to fight the cost of living. The Forum will closely follow these initiatives to ensure that disability issues in these areas are not overlooked. We do expect to see accessibility as a main theme of the newly announced European Housing Summit. We also hope this Summit includes persons with disabilities and other groups who face additional challenges in securing affordable and accessible housing.
We applaud the new commitment on Global Health with a Global Health Resilience Initiative. We will closely follow this initiative to ensure the issues of persons with disabilities are included.
We are disappointed that the President did not address our call alongside 470 organisations, ahead of the State of the European Union, against the Commission’s plan to roll back regulation for businesses. The current deregulation wave puts many of the achievements of the past years at risk. We need action from the Commission to ensure people and planet are still protected.
Featured photo: European Union, 2025