The bureau of the Disability Intergroup met on September 30th to take stock on the progress as for the Intergroup’s work programme and to plan the upcoming activities in 2021. The meeting was chaired by MEP Stelios Kympouropoulos and the President of the European Disability Forum, Yannis Vardakastanis, was invited to give an update on EDF’s policy priorities.
One of the main conclusions of the meeting was to plan an intergroup meeting of its 83 members in November if the health situation permits it. Date is yet to be confirmed, but it will certainly be during the plenary sitting week in Strasbourg. The whole Disability Intergroup could only met once in February 2020, soon before the COVID-19 outbreak. Bureau members underlined the importance of regrouping with all members to agree on wider actions
Concerning key ongoing policy files for persons with disabilities, the Disability Intergroup bureau is committed to work on the reform of the EU electoral law, in the implementation of the EU Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030, and to make sure the Conference on the Future of Europe is inclusive for persons with disabilities.
Finally, members of the bureau also discussed next steps as for the campaign to establish a CRPD focal point in the European Parliament that can mainstream the Convention in all parliamentary work. Additionally, MEPs also discussed how the Disability Intergroup can contribute to the work of the European Parliament High Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity, which decisions and proposals can fulfil the CRPD obligations of this EU institution as a public administration (for example, its accessibility).
Members of the bureau took the opportunity to welcome MEP Sylwia Spurek as this was her first meeting as Vice-Chair on behalf of the Greens/EFA group.
Contact:
Alejandro Moledo – Head of Policy
alejandro.moledo@edf-feph.org
Twitter: @alexmoledo