On 4 October, the European Parliament discussed and approved MEP Langensiepen’s self-initiative report on the AccessibleEU centre. The report was overwhelmingly approved with 611 votes (out of 623 voters).
Several MEPs – including members of the European Parliament’s Disability Intergroup – intervened in the debate.
The main points highlighted in the debate were:
- The need for substantial financial and human resources to be allocated to the Centre;
- The involvement of persons with disabilities in the work of the Centre;
- A focus on supporting national governments and authority, especially through establishing national accessibility hubs;
- Paving the way for an EU Agency on Accessibility;
MEP Langensiepen opened the debate by underlining that EU Commissioners should be involved in this Centre this file – not only EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli but especially Commissioner Thierry Breton, in charge of the internal market. She highlighted the need to implement existing legislation on accessibility.
She added that the Accessible EU Centre must:
- Provide clear guidelines to authorities;
- Harmonise Member States’ policies and “speeds of implementation”:
- Organise horizontal training programs to increase expertise on accessibility;
- Strengthen coordination and cooperation between all actors;
EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli took the podium next. She thanked MEP Langensiepen for the report. She reminded accessibility provisions are obligations for the EU and Member States as parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Interventions on behalf of political groups
Remarks of several Parliamentarians followed.
MEP Salvatore de Meo, a member of the Disability Intergroup, intervened on behalf of the EPP group by stating that the Accessible EU Centre is needed and must be complemented by coordination between the EU Member States. He emphasised increasing the employment of persons with disabilities.
MEP Tsvetelina Penkova intervened on behalf of the S&D group. She outlined five priorities for the Accessible EU Centre:
- Involvement of all stakeholders;
- Adequate financial funding and human resources;
- Establish national accessibility hubs;
- Building upon existing accessibility policies;
- Establishing an EU Agency for Accessibility;
MEP Dita Charanzová stated, on behalf of the Renew Europe group, that the Accessible EU Centre must ensure that persons with disabilities know about and exercise their rights. Furthermore, she reaffirmed the need for national accessibility hubs.
MEP Tilly Metz, Vice-Chair of the Disability Intergroup, thanked MEP Langensiepen for the report on behalf of the Greens/European Free Alliance group.
On behalf of Identity & Democracy, MEP Alessandra Basso welcomed the report and the Accessible EU Centre and affirmed the group’s commitment to it.
MEP Adam Bielan, on behalf of the European Conservatives and Reformists, pointed out that the pandemic disproportionately affected persons with disabilities and further impeded their access to healthcare. He welcomed the approach taken for the Accessible EU Centre.
MEP Anne-Sophie Pelletier, Vice-Chair of the Disability Intergroup, welcomed the ambitious report on behalf of the Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left. She added that persons with disabilities must be deeply involved in the Centre’s work. She finished her remarks by noting that the European Parliament still must make its communication and environment more accessible.
MEP Ádám Kósa, Member of the Disability Intergroup’s Bureau, shared the non-attached members’ view: the Centre should support the Member States and link authorities with all user groups, in particular organisations representing persons with disabilities.
Interventions from Members of the Parliament
Fifteen other Members of the European Parliament took the floor.
They generally welcomed the Accessible EU Centre. They called for sufficient resources and support for robust national accessibility centres and the implementation of accessibility legislation across all EU countries. They also called for the full involvement of persons with disabilities.
Disability Intergroup Chair Silvana González and MEP Miller underlined the need for a future EU Agency for Accessibility.
MEPs Botoş and Bourgeois called for a strategy to disseminate information and ensure the right to accessible environments.
MEP Bourgeois and Kelly referred to the need for actions to improve the employment of persons with disabilities,
Disability Intergroup Vice-Chairs Brando Benifei and Rosa Estaràs Ferragut called for the Accessible EU Centre to be a pillar for more coordination and a universal approach to accessibility.
MEP Marc Angel underlined the EU Disability Card as important upcoming legislation.
MEP Maria Grapini underlined the need for acts to reduce the poverty of persons with disabilities (read our report on the issue)
Closing
EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, thanked members for their recommendations. She shared her belief that the Accessible EU Centre will be vital in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. However, she recognised that other areas must also be developed.
MEP Langensiepen closed by stating that “The future will be accessible”. But, for this to happen, the EU needs to invest sufficient resources.
The European Disability Forum welcomes this report and hopes it positively influences the work of the future AccessibleEU centre.
Related documents
Cover photo: © European Union 2022 – Source: EP/Matthieu Cugnot