EN Official Journal of the European Union C 88/22

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003

(COM(2005) 486 final)

(2006/C 88/07)

On 27 October 2005 the European Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned communication.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 24 January 2006. The rapporteur was Mrs Anca.

At its 424th plenary session, held on 14 and 15 February 2006 (meeting of 14 February), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 147 votes to one with two abstentions.

1. Conclusions and recommendations

1.1 The EESC welcomes the Communication as an opportunity to take stock of successes and shortcomings of the EYPD 2003, to draw lessons for the preparation of other European Years, and to follow up on initiatives undertaken during EYDP 2003.

1.2 The EESC agrees that the success of the EYPD 2003, compared to previous European Years, stems from the fact that it has been called for by disabled people's organisations themselves as well as from their involvement in the planning and implementation of the Year. The EESC invites the European Commission and European institutions to favour a bottom-up approach in the preparations of such initiatives in the future.

1.3 The EESC regrets the lack of information in the Communication on action undertaken at national and regional level, and believes that in the future a framework should be put in place to ensure the proper flow of information, as well as collection and sharing of information regarding best practices.

1.4 Steps taken to increase general awareness and visibility in the media have been assessed in terms of quantity, but not quality. The EESC therefore invites the European Commission to address this issue in future initiatives.

1.5 The EESC believes that the success of the EYPD 2003 should have been translated into policies and legislation, and that the policy response is disappointing given the expectations raised by the Year.

1.6 The EESC invites the European Commission to assess in its future biennial report on the situation of disabled people the follow-up to political commitments made during the European Year, and in particular the follow-up to the Council resolutions on employment, education, eAccessibility, and culture, and to provide recommendations for the integration of disability concerns in the open method of coordination within the Lisbon Strategy.

1.7 The EESC also regrets the limited information on measures taken by Member States to mainstream disability, and calls on the European Commission to develop a tool for the collection and assessment of information about Member States' policies.

1.8 The EYPD 2003 spurred the Committee to undertake a number of initiatives: the creation of a disability task force in the committee; mainstreaming disability in its work; adoption of own-initiative opinions concerning people with disabilities; accommodation of accessibility requirements in the renovation of its new headquarters and making changes in the Staff Regulations regarding employment of disabled people.

1.9 The EESC also calls for the mainstreaming of disability issues to be put into practice in all EU policies, and the development of a structured dialogue with disabled people's organisations, in particular as regards the drafting of legislation on the internal market.

2. Introduction

2.1 The EESC has received with great interest the Communication of the European Commission on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003.

2.2 The European Year of People with Disabilities was officially endorsed by the EU Council on 3 December 2001 (1). The campaign lasted in fact almost a year and a half with preparatory work starting in mid-2002, and had a limited EU budget of around EUR 12 million.

2.3 The main objectives of the Year were to raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities and to encourage reflection and discussion on the measures needed to promote equal opportunities and to fight the many forms of discrimination confronting people with disabilities in Europe. The aim was also to promote and reinforce the exchange of good practices and strategies devised at local, national, and European levels, as well as to improve communication regarding disability, and to promote a positive image of people with disabilities.

2.4 The European Commission emphasises that the Year was the result of a partnership process between the EU, Member States, and disabled people's organisations, especially the European Disability Forum, together with other civil society stakeholders.

2.5 At European level, the European Commission developed a number of activities such as an awareness campaign with the slogan ‘get on board’ and a bus travelling around Europe. Funding was allocated to programmes in the area of youth, education, and culture, as well as to initiatives in the area of research, and the information society. In addition, several EU institutions, such as the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions, and the European Economic and Social Committee, undertook specific initiatives within the framework of the EYPD 2003.

2.6 Initiatives at national and regional level focussed mainly on raising awareness of rights, accessibility of the built environment, the information society, transport, development of new national legislation, reporting, and support to families. The Commission also highlights that the Year has contributed to putting disability on the political agenda.

3. Comments and suggestions on the Commission Communication

3.1 The EESC regrets that the Communication evaluating the EYPD 2003 was adopted almost two years after the conclusion of the Year. However, the EESC welcomes the opportunity to take stock of the results of the Year, and to highlight some follow-up actions.

3.2 The EESC supports the positive analysis of the outcomes of the EYPD 2003, which has probably been the most successful European Year in terms of visibility and public involvement, as well as in terms of creating a momentum for the development of measures and legislation across Europe.

3.3 The Communication provides a good summary and analysis of action taken at European level. However there is little information on initiatives at national and regional level. It would have been useful to highlight significant projects or activities funded through the EYPD in order to foster exchange of good practices, but also to determine which initiatives could be continued, at both national and European level.

3.4 It is interesting to note that the external evaluation stresses that the pilot project launched by the European Parliament to follow up the EYPD 2003 was out of sync with the activities of the Year. The EESC believes that better use could have been made of that funding if an analysis of interesting activities and partnerships had been undertaken during the Year.

3.5 The EYPD 2003 decision foresaw the participation of EFTA/EEA countries, the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Cyprus, Malta, and Turkey, most of them either having become members of the EU, or being candidates for accession. However, the Communication gives no information on the activities organised in those countries, regardless of whether or not a specific agreement has been signed with the European Commission.

3.6 The Communication also indicates that media reports about disabled people increased by 600 % in 2003. It would be interesting to compare such results with media output in 2004 and 2005 to find out what the medium or even long-term impact of these awareness campaigns has been.

3.7 In addition, the quality of information has not been analysed. One of the objectives of the Year was to promote a positive image of people with different kinds of disabilities. There is little in the report to suggest whether or not this has actually happened, and whether innovative images of disabled people were developed.

3.8 The decentralised method led national authorities and committees to adopt a variety of approaches. Some countries preferred to focus on a limited number of bigger projects, while others preferred to support a large number of small local initiatives. It would have been interesting to know how effective each approach was in terms of visibility of the campaign, but also sustainability of initiatives undertaken.

3.9 The EESC notes also that the level of political involvement in the EYPD 2003 at national level varied greatly across countries. However, it regrets that there is no analysis of whether or not this contributed to further political initiatives in any particular country.

3.10 At European level, a number of political commitments were made, in particular the Council resolutions on employment and training, access to cultural activities, education, and eAccessibility (2), as well as initiatives by the EU institutions on accessibility (3) and employment, for instance.

3.11 The European Commission should review their implementation in its next biennial report on the situation of disabled people, as foreseen in the framework of its action plan on equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

3.12 The Year was a great opportunity to raise awareness about the crucial role that businesses can play in the social integration of people with disabilities as well as their integration into the employment market. As a result of the Year, an increasing number of companies are recruiting people with disabilities and designing their products and services with consideration for universal accessibility requirements. A particularly positive initiative was the European Year Corporate Partnership promoted by the European Commission, which has led to the creation of the Business and Disability Network; one of the long-term outcomes of the Year.

3.13 Social economy enterprises were also particularly active during the Year, conducting hundreds of initiatives at local, regional, national and European level. Of special interest was the publication of a guide by the CEP-CMAF (European Standing Conference of Cooperatives, Mutual Societies, Associations and Foundations) in collaboration with the EESC on how social economy organisations can contribute to the social integration of people with disabilities and their integration into the employment market.

3.14 2003 also saw increased trade union action in defence of the labour rights of people with disabilities.

3.15 The Year helped the organisations to either gain or improve access to the decision-making process, and may have given people with disabilities better opportunities to advocate their rights.

3.16 The exchange of good practices and review of policy initiatives must be organised by the High Level Group on people with disabilities, which must develop a clear mandate and work programme.

3.17 Furthermore, it is crucial that equal opportunities for people with disabilities are mainstreamed throughout the different EU processes that use the open method of coordination. This is even more crucial as disability policy remains by and large an area of national competence. Since the end of the Year we have unfortunately seen a decline in references to and targets for disabled people, which have now vanished from the Lisbon agenda.

4. Lessons to be drawn for future European Years

4.1 The success of the EYPD 2003 was to a large extent due to its bottom-up approach. The Communication underlines that the Year was initiated and promoted by the European movement of disabled people, which was also very much involved in its preparation and development. It is disappointing to see that this approach has not been applied to decisions on following years, with obvious consequences in terms of mobilisation and interest of both target groups and the general public.

4.2 The close involvement of disability organisations in the development of the EYPD European awareness campaign must be continued and even strengthened in the European Year for Equal Opportunities 2007, given the variety of stakeholders involved. It is crucial that target groups feel that the tools and framework meet their needs, and that they are given ownership of the events in order to ensure their success. It is also important that there is sufficient time for preparation between the decision on the Year, and it official start.

4.3 The external evaluators stressed that compliance with financial regulations put too heavy a burden on both Member States and contractors, but also on the European Commission, which could have invested more time in further initiatives. The European Commission should take this into account in the current reviews of financial regulations and rules on implementation.

4.4 In addition, the development of indicators and a monitoring system would allow Member States to register data concerning their activities, leading to effective monitoring and collection of information on good practices.

4.5 European Years must not just be an opportunity to raise awareness or to celebrate, but the stepping-stone for further initiatives. The EYPD 2003 has raised many expectations at both national and European level. It is important that the awareness-raising campaigns are translated into permanent practices, and that there is an adequate policy and a legislative framework to respond to the challenges that emerge during the Year. The availability of resources is also of key importance in terms of continuing partnerships and innovative projects developed during the Year.

5. Review of EESC activities for EYPD 2003

5.1 The EESC committed itself to a number of initiatives during the EYPD 2003. This report gives the opportunity to review such commitments, and to suggest some measures for the future.

5.2 The EESC created a disability task force formed by a group of Committee members and officials with the aim of preparing and implementing EESC activities for the European Year.

5.3 The EESC endorsed the principles of the Madrid Declaration and committed itself to its dissemination (4). The EESC adopted several opinions and responses in preparation for and in follow-up to the EYPD 2003 (5), which were widely distributed to the European institutions and relevant organisations. In addition, the EESC organised two seminars on the employment of disabled people and on the evaluation of the EYPD 2003.

5.4 The EESC has committed itself to mainstreaming disability throughout its work, and to considering the interests, rights and duties of disabled people in all its opinions. Although there is still considerable room for improvement, the EESC is moving in the right direction and an increasing number of the Committee's opinions incorporate the disability angle, thus drawing the attention of other institutions to the rights of people with disabilities.

5.5 The EESC adopted opinions concerning people with disabilities on its own initiative and in response to communications or legislative proposals (6). In particular, the EESC prepared an opinion giving guidance on mainstreaming and on consultation of disability organisations (7). Numerous opinions of the Committee include disability issues in the context of employment, social inclusion and industry (8). The EESC also committed itself to a regular evaluation, which will be carried out by a Committee working group in 2006.

5.6 In addition, the EESC accommodated accessibility requirements in the renovation of its new headquarters, which were inaugurated in May 2004. The new headquarters have enabled the EESC to provide almost equal access for members and civil servants with disabilities. Furthermore, seminars involving disabled people's organisations have been held in the EESC building as a result of this. This sets an example for other EU institutions and bodies.

5.7 The EESC takes note of the revision of the EC Staff Regulations drawn up in 2003, and its provisions, which facilitate the employment of people with disabilities. However, the EESC notes that a more proactive approach is also needed to ensure that more disabled people are recruited.

5.8 The EESC calls on the European Commission to carry out an assessment of the changes in the Staff Regulations regarding employment of disabled people, as part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities 2007.

5.9 The EESC also calls for the establishment of a traineeship scheme for disabled people. The European Year of Equal Opportunities 2007 could be the right time to undertake such a review.

6. Follow-up of the European Year of People with Disabilities at EU level

6.1 The EESC has always stressed in its opinions that the success of the Year of People with Disabilities should be measured by the concrete outcomes it produces.

6.2 The EESC regrets that the EYPD 2003 has not led to the adoption of comprehensive legislation on non-discrimination of disabled people in all areas of EU policy.

6.3 The 2003 European Action Plan on equal opportunities was welcomed by the EESC in its opinion adopted in February 2004. The EESC also highlighted in the opinion that the action plan lacked ambition and suggested further action to be considered by the European Commission (9).

6.4 The EESC notes that the first biennial report on the situation of disabled people has just been published, as well as the new priorities for the next phase of the European Action Plan (10).

6.5 Recommendations should be drawn up on the impact of the European strategies for social protection, employment, and lifelong learning on people with disabilities. This is particularly relevant as people with disabilities are not mentioned in the new streamlined Lisbon strategy and national reforms programmes presented in 2005. In this context, the EESC welcomes the working paper on mainstreaming disability in the employment strategy (11), and calls on the European Commission to carry out an assessment of the implementation of that document.

6.6 The EESC also welcomes the proposal of the UK Presidency for an annual ministerial conference on disability in order to promote a high-level political discussion, with the participation of disabled people's organisations.

6.7 The EESC believes that the European Commission should develop a disability impact assessment tool for EU legislation, in cooperation with disabled people's organisations, and develop training courses for officials in the various Directorate Generals on how it should be used.

6.8 Under the Amsterdam Treaty, the EC committed itself to taking into account people with disabilities when formulating measures relating to the internal market. Declaration 22 has regrettably not been implemented, with the result that there are increasing barriers to goods and services.

6.9 The EESC calls on the European Commission to come up with an initiative that would bring together officials dealing with internal market issues and experts from organisations of disabled people in order to develop a strategic plan.

6.10 The EESC welcomes the speedy adoption of the regulation on air passengers with reduced mobility, which will help to tackle discrimination faced by people with disabilities when travelling by air, as well as a number of other legislative initiatives in the field of transport also promoting the rights of disabled people.

6.11 The EESC calls for the inclusion of accessibility requirements in all grants promoted by the EU and in their own procurement policies.

6.12 The EESC also closely follows the negotiations regarding an International Convention on the Human Rights of Disabled People, and welcomes the EU proposal for the European Communities to be party to the Convention, also providing protection for people with disabilities living in the EU, also as to the acts of the EU institutions and bodies.

6.13 The EESC believes that there is a need for further legislation to tackle discrimination in all areas of EU competence and is looking forward to the results of the feasibility study on further legislative initiatives on non-discrimination. Moreover, it is confident that a proposal for a disability-specific directive will be launched next year.

Brussels, 14 February 2006. The President of the European Economic and Social Committee Anne-Marie SIGMUND

(1) Council Decision 2001/903/EC.

(2) Council Resolution of 15 July 2003 on promoting the employment and social integration of people with disabilities (2003/C 175/01).

Council Resolution on 6 May 2003 on accessibility of cultural infrastructure and cultural activities for people with disabilities (2003/C 134/05).

Council Resolution of 5 May 2003 on equal opportunities for pupils and students with disabilities in education and training (2003/C 134/04).

Council Resolution on 6 February 2003‘eAccessibility’ – improving the access of people with disabilities to the knowledge based society (2003/C 39/03).

(3) 2010 – A Europe accessible for All, Group of Independent Experts on accessibility

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/index/7002_en.html

(4) EESC opinion of 17.10.2001 on the Proposal for a Council Decision on the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (COM(2001) 271 final – 2001/0116 (CNS)) (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna, OJ C 36 of 8.2.2002).

(5) EESC opinion of 26.3.2003 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament – Towards a United Nations legally binding instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities (COM(2003) 16 final) (rapporteur Cabra de Luna, OJ C 133 of 6.6.2003).

EESC opinion of 17.10.2001 on the Proposal for a Council Decision on the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (COM(2001) 271 final – 2001/0116 (CNS)) (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna, OJ C 36 of 8.2.2002).

EESC opinion of 25.2.2004 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: A European Action Plan (COM(2003) 650 final) (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna, OJ C 110 of 30.4.2004).

(6) See footnote 5 and: EESC own-initiative opinion of 17.7.2002 on the Integration of disabled people in society (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna) (OJ C 241 of 7.10.2002).

EESC opinion of 28.9.2005 on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the rights of persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air (COM(2005) 47 final – 07/2005 (COD)) (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna) (OJ C 24 of 31.1.2006).

Joint Working Document on the situation of people with disabilities in Turkey 19th meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee, rapporteurs: Mr Daniel Le Scornet, member of the EESC Mr Süleyman Çelebi, Co-Chairman of the EU-Turkey JCC (REX/194).

(7) EESC own-initiative opinion of 17.7.2002 on the Integration of disabled people in society (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna) (OJ C 241 of 7.10.2002).

(8) EESC opinion of 28.9.2005 on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the rights of persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air (COM(2005) 47 final – 07/2005 (COD)) (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna) (OJ C 24 of 31.1.2006).

Joint Working Document on the situation of people with disabilities in Turkey 19th meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee, rapporteurs: Mr Daniel Le Scornet, member of the EESC Mr Süleyman Çelebi, Co-Chairman of the EU-Turkey JCC (REX/194).

EESC opinion of 1.7.2004 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Modernising social protection for more and better jobs – a comprehensive approach contributing to making work pay (COM(2003) 842 final) (rapporteur Ms St Hill, OJ C 302 of 7.12.2004).

EESC opinion of 29.10.2003 on Socially sustainable tourism for everyone (rapporteur Mr Mendoza Castro, OJ C 32 of 5.2.2004).

EESC opinion of 26.3.2003 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions The future of the European Employment Strategy (EES) ‘A strategy for full employment and better jobs for all’ (COM(2003) 6 final) (rapporteur Mr Koryfidis, OJ C 133 of 6.6.2003).

EESC opinion of 18.7.2002 on the Draft Commission Regulation on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid for employment (OJ C 88/2, 12.4.2002) (rapporteur Mr Zöhrer, OJ C 241 of 7.10.2002).

(9) EESC opinion of 25.2.2004 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: A European Action Plan (COM(2003) 650 final) (rapporteur Mr Cabra de Luna, OJ C 110 of 30.4.2004).

(10) Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the situation of disabled people in the enlarged EU: the European Action Plan 2006–2007 (COM(2005) 604 of 28.11.2005).

(11) Disability Mainstreaming in the European Employment Strategy by the European Employment Committee. EMCO/11/290605.