EN    EN EN 
 
EN    EN  EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Brussels, 15.11.2010 
SEC(2010) 1324 final 
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
 
Accompanying the 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CO MMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMI TTEE OF THE REGIONS  
 
European Disability Strategy 2010-2020:  
A Renewed Commitment to a Barrier-Free Europe 
Initial plan to implement the Eur opean Disability Strategy 2010-2020  
 
List of Actions 2010-2015 
{COM(2010) 636 final} 
{SEC(2010) 1323 final} 
 
EN 2   EN TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Implementation of the European Disability  Strategy 2010-2020: objec tives and actions ......... 3 
1. Accessibility............................................................................................................... .......... 3 
2. Participation ............................................................................................................... .......... 6 
3. Equality .................................................................................................................... ............ 9 
4. Employ ment .................................................................................................................. ..... 10 
5. Education and Training ...................................................................................................... 12 
6. Social Protection ........................................................................................................... ..... 13 
7. Health ...................................................................................................................... ........... 14 
8. External Action ............................................................................................................. ..... 15 
Implementation of the European Disability  Strategy 2010-2020: general instruments........... 17 
1. Awareness-raising ........................................................................................................... ... 17 
2. Financial Support ........................................................................................................... .... 18 
3. Statistics and data co llection and monitoring..................................................................... 18 
Implementation of the European Disability St rategy 2010-2020: actions to comply with the 
UNCRPD obligations within EU institutions........................................................................... 20 
 
EN 3   EN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN DISABILITY STRATEGY 2010-2020:  
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS  
In order to ensure the imple mentation of the European Di sability Strategy 2010-2020 this 
annex presents the specific objectives identified in the strategy and the different actions foreseen to achieve them.  
This list of actions covers the first period of implementa tion of the stra tegy, 2010-2015, and 
will be monitored and updated periodically. 
1. A
CCESSIBILITY  
Specific objective 
Prevent, identify and eliminate obstacles and barriers to accessibili ty. Key areas include 
the built environment, transport and information and communication including 
technologies and services.  
Key actions When 
– Launch a study on cost benefit an alysis and data collection on 
accessibility of goods and services in the areas of ICT, built 
environment and transport addressi ng the functioning of the internal 
market, as preparation for the possible development of a European Accessibility Act 2011 
– Consult  Member States and ot her stakeholders on a possible 
‘European Accessibility Act’  2011 
– Prepare a European Accessibility Act setting out a general accessibility 
framework in relation to goods and se rvices including public services 2012-2013 
Explore the possibility to comp lete the legal framework addressi ng rights of persons with 
reduced mobility by coveri ng all relevant modes of transport  
– Finalise negotiations in  Council on proposal for Regulations on the 
Rights of persons with reduced mob ility travelling by road, rail and sea  Ongoing 
– Report on the application on the Regulations on the Rights of persons 
with reduced mobility travelling by air 2010-2011 
 
– Address problems related to compen sation claims concerning damages 
of mobility equipment (wheelchairs and other Assistive devices) when 
travelling  2010-2015 
 
EN 4   EN – Address accessibility of transport infrastructures through accessibility 
Mandate 420  Ongoing 
Address accessibility to the Built environment  
– Continue improving accessibility to  the urban environment through 
implementation of the Urban mobility Action plan  2010-2015 
– Promote accessibility of the built environment as part of the sustainable 
construction area of the "l ead market initiative" Ongoing 
– Implement Standardisation Mandate 420 on accessibility to the built 
environment  Ongoing 
– Exploit the opportunities provided by the Galileo system supporting 
pilot projects related to disabilities Ongoing 
Make full use of all existing legal instru ments and address disability matters in their 
revisions following the UN Convention in the area of Information Society in line with the 
Digital Agenda for Europe  
– Implement the disability relate d provisions of the electronic 
Communication Directives and th e Audiovisual Media Service 
Directive, considering their recent revisions  2010-2015 
– Systematically evaluate accessibilit y in revisions of legislation 
undertaken under the Digital Agenda , e.g. , eIdentity & eSignature, 
following the UN Convention on the Right s of Persons with Disabilities 2010-2015 
– Promote dialogue between users a nd industry leading to voluntary 
agreements in the areas of: 
– copyright: EU Memorandum of  Understanding on access to 
works by people with print disabilities 
– digital television: coopera tion between industry and 
organisations of persons with disabilities  Ongoing 
–  Based on a review of options, ma ke proposals by 2011 that will make 
sure that public sector websites (a nd websites providing basic services 
to the public) are fully accessible by 2015; 2011 
– Develop accessibility standards to ICT for their use in public 
procurement in the context of Mandate 376 Ongoing 
 
EN 5   EN Support research on new technologies addressing assistive technology  and accessible 
mainstream solutions  
– Mainstream accessibility following  Design for all in relevant 
mainstream standards through a standardisation Mandate 2011 
– Support the inclusion of accessibility  and design for all in general 
curricula for architects and engi neers to prevent barriers when 
exercising their professions 2011-2015 
– Study the Assistive technology market  with a view to improve its 
functioning Ongoing 
– Raise awareness on acce ssibility through the es tablishment of an 
European award of accessible cities Ongoing 
– Exploit international dialogues in particular ongoing EU-US dialogue 
on accessibility standards to bring c oherence to the markets and build 
economies of scale Ongoing 
– Follow-up to a planned Green paper on modernisation of EU public 
procurement rules and explore the po ssibility of fostering the use of 
public procurement to improve accessi bility by devel oping obligations 
for public authorities using accessibility standards 2011-2015 
– Explore possible measures to impr ove the accessibility of goods and 
services in Europe using internal market instruments 2011-2015 
 
– Consider relevant disability issues, where possible, within the context 
of the follow-up to the Commission Report "Towards more efficient 
and fairer retail services in the In ternal Market for 2010" and within the 
context of the e-commerce activities 2010-2015 
– Improve application of Article 16 of the Structural funds general 
regulation to progress on accessibility 2010-2015 
– Take into consideration, in projects run by the EU Joint Research 
Centre, technical aspects related to usability by all, including people 
with disabilities  2011-2015 
– Support independent living of persons  with disabilities and older 
persons under the innovation partne rship "Active and healthy ageing" 
of the Innovation Union flagship initiative 2011-2015 
 
 
 
EN 6   EN  
   
2. P
ARTICIPATION  
Specific objective 
Ensure equal opportunities for persons with  disabilities and thei r families to fully 
participate in all aspects of so cial and economic life, namely: 
– to exercise all their Union ci tizenship rights, in particular  the right to free movement 
and residence 
– to be able to choose where and how they live 
– to have full access to cultural, recrea tional, leisure and sports activities 
Key actions When 
Address the obstacles that persons with dis abilities face in exerci sing their rights as 
individuals, consumers, students and  professionals, and political actors  
– Study the implications of a mutual r ecognition of disability cards and 
related entitlements  Ongoing 
– Support Member States' efforts to ensure that women and men with 
disabilities can fully exercise their electoral rights by developing and disseminating standards on accessible election facilities and campaign 
material  2010-2015 
– Raise awareness among MS of the n eed to improve accessibility of 
courts and police buildings 2010-2015 
– Promote the dissemination of good practices regard ing training of 
public officials on receiving and info rming persons with disabilities 2010-2015 
– Raise awareness among MS on the need  for proper assistance regarding 
access to legal documents and procedures 2010-2015 
– Explore ways of facilita ting the use of sign languag e in dealing with the 
EU institutions  2010-2015  
 
EN 7   EN – Monitor the proper implementation of article 82(2) of the TFEU (rights 
of individuals in crimin al procedure) relative to interpretation and 
translation in criminal proceedings on the specific issue of interpretation in sign language 2010-2015 
– Ensure inclusion of concerns of pe rson with disabilities in initiatives 
aimed to address consumer rights in Eu rope, in particular  with regard to 
access to services of ge neral economic interest 2010-2015 
Address problems related to intra-EU mobility  
– Promote dialogue among Member States  in the Disabi lity High Level 
Group on the portability of rights su ch as the right to personal 
assistance  2011 
– Encourage the participation of th e EU Member States to the 2000 
Hague Convention on the Interna tional Protection of Adults and 
evaluate its application, foreseen in the Stockholm Action Plan, with 
the view to assess the need fo r additional proposals as regards 
vulnerable adults.  2014 
– Identify obstacles encountered by persons with disabilities in the 
exercise of their rights as EU citizen s, in particular regarding the right 
to free movement and residence 2010-2015 
Enhance the use of the European model of disability parking card  
– Raise awareness of the European m odel of disability parking card and 
combat its abuse by producing and disseminating information material 
for national and local authorities  Ongoing 
– Explore opportunities of new techno logical solutions, for example by 
funding pilot projects on the develo pment of electronic parking cards 
and control systems 2012-2015 
Enhance Member States' efforts towards the transition from institutional to community-
based care  
– Develop and disseminate a quality  framework for community-based 
services that is inclusive of pers on with disabilities building on the 
quality framework for Social se rvices of general interest Ongoing 
– Promote the exchange of good practi ces among Member States in the 
Disability High Level Group on pe rsonal assistance funding schemes 2011-2015 
Optimise the use of Structural Funds and the Rural Development Fund to support the 
development of community-based services  
 
EN 8   EN – Identify good practice of the use of Structural Funds and the Rural 
Development Fund  in relation with the principle of independent and 
community living  2010-2015 
– Develop a training module for Eu ropean Commission geographical 
Desk officers (and national administ rations) dealing wi th Structural 
Funds and the Rural Development Fund on the UNCRPD and common basic principles on deinstitutionalisation 2010-2015 
– Develop a toolkit for managing author ities on how to use Structural 
Funds and the Rural Development Fund  to support the development of 
community-based services 2010-2015 
– Report on Member States' compliance with article 16 of Structural 
funds general regulation 2011-2015 
Improve the knowledge base on the situation of people with disabilities living in 
residential institutions  
– Collect data on the number, size a nd life conditions of residential 
institutions 2011-2015 
– Study on existing legal and administra tive rules which directly or 
indirectly promote institutionalisa tion with recommenda tions on how to 
remove them 2012-2015 
Promote the participation of peopl e with disabilities in sports  
– Develop and disseminate standards fo r accessibility of sports, leisure, 
and recreation organisations, ac tivities, events and venues 2010-2015 
– Promote the participation of people with disabili ties in European sport 
events as well as the or ganisation of disability-s pecific events including 
Special Olympics Ongoing 
– Include a priority on Social incl usion through and in sport, with a 
particular regard to persons with di sabilities, in the future Commission 
policy and incentive measures in the field of sport 2011-2012 
Promote the access of people with dis abilities to cultural materials and events  
– Foster the cross-border tr ansfer of copyright works in accessible format Ongoing 
– Ensure accessibility of the interface and contents of Europeana – the 
European public digital library – for persons with disabilities 2010-2015 
 
EN 9   EN – Ensure that accessibility criteria are ta ken into account in the context of 
the "European Capitals  of Culture" award 2010-2015 
 
3. EQUALITY  
Specific objective 
Promote and protect the inherent  dignity of persons with disa bilities, combat all forms of 
discrimination on the basis of disability, and ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy, 
on an equal basis with others, all fundamental rights and freedoms.  
Key actions When 
– Support the negotiation in Council of the draft Directive on equal 
treatment beyond the field of employment  Ongoing 
– Monitoring the application and imp act of Directive 2000/78 EC for 
improving employment of persons with disabilities  2013  
– Promote the attention to disability matters in equality bodies notably 
through Equinet  2010-2015 
– Provide guidance on reasonable accommodation for people with 
disabilities addressing employe rs and service providers 2010-2013 
– Promote exchange of good pr actices on legal capacity 2010-2013 
– Raise awareness among trade unions on the concept of reasonable 
accommodation  2010-2013 
– Use of existing Progress programme (until December 2013) to support 
national activities aiming at comb ating discrimination and promoting 
equality. 2010-2013 
– Address disability issues in awarene ss raising seminars in the areas of 
non discrimination and equality target ed at civil soci ety organisations 2011-2012 
– Address disability discrimination in  annual calls for proposals aiming at 
supporting national authorit ies in their fight agai nst discrimination and 
promotion of equality 2011-2013 
– Introduce a disability  specific focus in the "Wha t can Social Europe do 
for you" campaign   
2010-2013 
 
EN 10   EN – Address disability discrimination in the "For Diversity Against 
Discrimination campaign", e.g. thr ough Diversity days, Journalist 
award, leaflet, video spot, stand at conferences  2010-2013 
 
4. EMPLOYMENT  
Specific objective 
Improve the employment situation of wo men and men with disabilities through 
recognition of their right to work including th e right to the opportunity to gain a living by 
work freely chosen or accepted in a labour ma rket and work environment that is open, 
inclusive and accessible. 
Key actions When 
Increase knowledge on employ ment situation of people with disabilities, identify 
challenges, propose remedies  
– Use of 2011 LFS ad hoc module on employment of people with 
disabilities to produce info materials on the labour mark et situation of 
people with disabilities in Europe  2011-2012 
– Enhance cooperation with relevant  third organisations (e.g. ILO, 
OECD, EUROFOUND)  Ongoing 
– Explore possibility of  stronger focus on women and men with 
disabilities in Commission empl oyment relevant publications Ongoing 
Optimize the use of the new strategy for j obs and growth, "Europe 2020" for the benefit 
of people with disabilities  
–  Ensure that the annual Europe 2020 assessment gives due 
consideration to the situation of people with disabilities  2010-2015 
– Preparation of a disability specific indicator in the EMCO indicator 
sub-group 2011 
– Make use of the ESF, in accordance with Guideline 7, to promote 
labour market integration of peop le with disabilities and other 
vulnerable groups. 2010-2015 
Focus on what people can do and persuade potential employers with convincing arguments and support to empl oy people with disabilities  
 
EN 11   EN – Involve Social Partners at EU leve l, with full involvement of SME 
representatives, to: 
– Develop models of good practice on reasonable 
accommodation and good quality jobs 
– Provide employers and policy makers with information on 
positive measures 2010-2015 
– When reviewing relevant European employment legislation ensure its 
compliance with the UNCRPD (wor king conditions and protection, 
working time, safety etc.) 2010-2015 
– Encourage employers to commit to Di versity policies in the workplace, 
in particular through the signi ng of Diversity Charters  2010-2015 
– Highlight the scope for action that Me mber States enjoy in the area of 
promoting employment and recruitm ent of persons with disabilities 
through the General Block Exemption Regulation and the Package on Services of General Economic Interest 2010-2015 
– Encourage social entrepreneurship w ith concrete actions to be rolled 
out in a "Social Business Initiative" to support and accompany the development of socially innovative corporate projects within the single 
market 2011-2015 
Give special attention to difficulties of young people with disabilities  in transition from 
education to employment and address intra job mobility including those working in 
sheltered workshops (access to and retention in employment)  
– Involvement of Public Employment  Services (PES) at EU level 
– E.g. by accessibility of actions  and material, dialogue with 
temp and special agencies  
– Specific disability oriented se minar in the PES Peer review Ongoing 
– Identify and promote eff ective support structures 
– Screening of national/Regional measures (e.g. quotas, social 
partnerships, cooperatives, suppor ted employment, transport) 
– Analysis of the employment effects of informal and family 
care, with particular attention to gender issues 2010-2015 
Address the issue of quality of jobs, su ch as salaries, working hours and career 
advancement of people  with disabilities  
 
EN 12   EN – Promote labour market relevant trai ning to people with  disabilities 
through calls for proposals in th e Lifelong Learning Programme Ongoing 
– Foster possibilities for self empl oyment opportunities for people with 
disabilities in context of Europ ean Instruments (e.g. Microfinance 
Facility, European Social Fund) 
   
2010-2015 
Fight prevailing disability benefit cultures and  help to integrate persons with partial 
work capacity into the labour market, furthe r develop active labour market policies and 
tackle benefit traps  
– Examine national Active Labour Markets Policies ALMPS and publish 
compendium of good practice Ongoing 
 
5. EDUCATION AND TRAINING  
Specific objective 
Ensure that people with disabilities rece ive the support required, within the general 
education system, to facilita te their education, and that effective indivi dualized support 
measures are provided in environments that maximize academic and social development, consistent with the goal of full inclusion.
 
Key actions When 
Increase knowledge on educa tion levels and opportunities of  people with disabilities  
– Promote peer reviews on the different definitions at Member State level 
of inclusive education through the su pport of the Network of Experts on 
the Social Sciences of E ducation and Training (NESSE)  2010-2015 
– Support the work of the European Agency for Development in Special 
Needs Education to facilitate the co llection, processing and transfer of 
European level and country specific  information on education of people 
with disabilities 2010- 2015 
– Collect data on access and partic ipation of persons with high 
dependency needs in the education system  2011- 2015 
– Improve e-skills of persons with disabilities On going 
 
EN 13   EN Support policy developments towards the goa l of inclusive and quality education and 
training within the framework of the Youth on the move initiative  
– Promote the exchange of good practice on inclusive education and life 
long learning for students and pupils  with disabilities within the 
strategic framework for European co operation in education and training 
ET 2020  2010-2015 
– Raise disability matters in the cont ext of the OMC on education, with 
due attention to the specific needs of women and men with disabilities 2010-2015 
– Disseminate research, informati on, and guidance materials on the 
application of the reasonable accomm odation principle in education and 
training 2010-2015 
– Monitor recent developments rega rding national and/or Europe-wide 
Curricula for professionals in the bu ilt environment, transport and ICT 
on Design for all to improve their knowledge, skills and competences on accessibility and encourage the development of a European Curriculum  2010-2015 
Increase the mobility of peopl e with disabilities through en hancing their par ticipation in 
the Lifelong Learning Programme and the Youth in Action Programme  
– Ensure that relevant calls for prop osals under the Lifelong Learning 
programme include accessibility  and reasonable accommodation 
criteria  2010-2015 
– Maintain the priority given to young people wi th fewer opportunities 
(including young people with disabiliti es) in the implementation of the 
Youth in Action Programme  Ongoing 
– Promote life long learning of people with disabilities working in the 
police or justice systems 2010-2015 
6. SOCIAL PROTECTION  
Specific objective 
Ensure decent living conditions for people with disabilities thr ough access to social 
protection systems and poverty reduction prog rammes, disability-r elated assistance, 
public housing programmes, and retirement and benefits programmes  
Key actions When 
Optimise the use of the European Pl atform against Poverty and the ESF  
 
EN 14   EN – Promote cooperation, peer review  and good practice exchange on 
disability issues, with due at tention to gender differences  2010-2015 
– Promote the design and implem entation of social innovation 
programmes for persons with disabilities Ongoing 
– Reduce social exclusion by targeted support of c oncrete actions through 
the ESF under the framework of the European Platform against poverty 2010-2015 
Assess the adequacy of social protection system s with respect to people with disabilities  
– Ensure that disability-specific issu es are covered in any revisions of 
legislation concerning pensi ons and benefits portability  2010- 2015 
– Follow up the Green Paper on pensions to take into account disability-
relevant aspects, organise ex change of good practices among MS 2010- 2015 
– Encourage Member States to addr ess in the SPSI the situation of 
persons with disabilities and to take measures to compensate the 
financial impact of disabilities 2010- 2015 
7. HEALTH  
Specific objective 
Ensure that people with disabi lities have equal access to he althcare, including prevention, 
and that quality and affordable sp ecific health services are provided  
Key actions When 
Support policy developments to impr ove equal access to healthcare  
– Develop indicators to monitor quality and accessibility of health care 
services for women and men with disabilities involving the service 
users perspective  2010-2015 
– Promote equal access to health care systems and raise awareness among 
persons with disabilities of their rights of access 2010-2015 
– Raise disability awareness and specific knowledge among health 
professionals, considering the spec ific needs of female and male 
patients 2010-2015 
Support policy developments to improve qualit y of healthcare and rehabilitation for 
people with disabilities  
 
EN 15   EN – Explore the possibility of including disability information in the e-
health medical records and ensure their accessibility for persons with 
disabilities  2010-2015 
– Develop accessibility standa rds for medical equipment 2010-2015 
– Support research on healthcare pr ovision to women and men with 
disabilities through health work programmes in FP7 and FP8 2010-2015 
– Exploit the potential of new teleme dicine services such as online 
medical consultations, improved emer gency, care and portable devices 
for persons with disabilities  2010-2015 
– Promote modern mental health services and long term care facilities 
through the current European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being Ongoing 
– Promote training of health professi onals on disability matters through 
the ESF 2010-2015 
Promote actions in the field of health and sa fety at work to reduce risks of disability 
during working life  
– Examine follow up of the specific action taken by Member States to 
improve the rehabilitation and reinte gration of workers excluded from 
the workplace for a long period of time because of an accident at work, an occupational illness or a disability  in the mid-term review of the EU 
Strategy on Health and Safety at Work 2007-2012  
– Report on the implementation of the European social partners' 
framework agreement on work-related stress   
Ongoing 
 
Ongoing 
– Explore the possibility to address the needs of people acquiring a 
disability while working at sea, pa rticularly in the context of the 
revision of financial instruments 2011-2015 
– Address the issue of prevention of disabilities including work related 
disabilities for reasons of mental disorders Ongoing 
8. EXTERNAL ACTION  
Specific objective 
Promote the rights of people with disabili ties within a broade r non-discriminatory 
approach in the EU external action, includ ing the enlargement process and development 
programmes, taking due accoun t of the common EU and Member States' approach to 
development 
 
EN 16   EN Key actions When 
– Ensure that the specific needs of persons with disabilities, including 
those who are disabled as a cons equence of natural and man-made 
disasters, are properly assessed and addressed in the area of emergency 
and humanitarian aid outside the EU Ongoing  
– Highlight disability where appropriat e as a human rights issue in the 
EU human rights dialogues with thir d countries, based on the principles 
of the UNCRPD 2010-2015 
– Ensure that EU development cooperation reaches persons with 
disabilities, both throu gh projects/programmes specifically targeting 
persons with disabilities and by improving the mainstreaming of 
disability concerns Ongoing 
– Enhance coherence and complementar ity between the EU approach to 
persons with disabilities and EU a ssistance to survivors of landmine 
and explosive remnants of war duri ng armed conflict and its aftermath 2010-2015 
– Support the national efforts of part ner countries for the signature, 
ratification and implementation of the UNCRPD 2010-2015 
– Support where appropriate the instit utional strengthening of Disabled 
Peoples' Organisations in partner c ountries and organisations dealing 
with disability and development 2010-2015 
– Consolidate the network of disabili ty focal points in EU Delegations 
and at Headquarters, and increase the awareness of EU staff on 
disability matters Ongoing 
– Promote that infrastructure fina nced in the framework of EU 
development projects meets the acce ssibility requirements of people 
with disabilities. 2010-2015 
– Update the Guidance Note on Disability and Development to be in line 
with the UN Convention on the Rights  of Person with Disabilities Ongoing 
– Ensure that progress is made by candidate and potential candidate 
countries on promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and that 
accession funds are used to improve their situation 2010-2015 
– Encourage European Neighbourhood Polic y partner countri es to protect 
the rights of persons with disabilities; mainstream disability-related issues through policy dialogue and ex change of experience; and explore 
possibilities for financial assistan ce under the European Neighbourhood 
Policy and Partnership Instrument 2010-2015 
 
EN 17   EN  
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN DISABILITY STRATEGY 2010-2020:  
GENERAL INSTRUMENTS  
The European Disability Strategy requires a joint and renewed commitment of the EU 
institutions and all Member States to create a barrier free Europe. The actions in the main 
areas above need to be underpinned by the following general instruments. 
1. AWARENESS -RAISING  
Specific objective 
Raise awareness throughout society of the ri ghts of people with disabilities, promoting 
recognition of skills, merits and abilities a nd combating prejudices and discrimination 
Key actions When 
Ensure that people with disabi lities are aware of their rights and of the EU activities to 
guarantee these rights, while payi ng particular attention to acce ssibility of materials and 
information channels  
– Support awareness-raisi ng activities (including in the media) to 
highlight the capabilities and cont ributions of women and men with 
disabilities Ongoing 
– Raise awareness of the relationshi p between ageing and disability 
within the European Year 2012 for Active Ageing 2012 
– Annual policy conference on the occasion of the European day of 
persons with disabilities Ongoing 
Promote awareness raising on design for all and universal design  
– Organise an annual EU Accessible Cities award  2010-2015 
– Promote knowledge of innova tion in assistive technology Ongoing 
 
 
EN 18   EN 2. FINANCIAL SUPPORT  
Specific objective 
Optimise use of EU funding instruments fo r accessibility and non-discrimination and 
increase visibility of disa bility-relevant funding possibi lities in post-2013 programmes 
while respecting European competition legislation, in particular State aid rules. 
Key actions When 
– Promote that EU programmes in polic y areas relevant for people with 
disabilities will contain thematic  funding opportunities (e.g. ESF, 
PROGRESS, LLP, FP7, Youth) 2011-2013 
 
– Support research projects in the ar eas of environment, information 
society, transport and security under the FP7 2011-2013 
– Promote the design and application of European co-funding instruments 
under shared management, in particul ar the Structural Funds (and the 
Microfinance facility), in an accessible and non-discriminatory way 2010-2015 
– Prepare for input of new ESF de sign from 2014 onwards gathering 
information on the future of the ESF and its use for people with disabilities  2010-2013 
– Prepare for input of new ERDF de sign from 2014 onwards gathering 
information on the future of the ERDF and its use for people with 
disabilities 2010-2013 
– Update of toolkit on non-discri mination and accessibility in the 
structural funds 2011-2015 
– Financial support for EU level NGOs of and for persons with 
disabilities  Ongoing 
3. STATISTICS AND DATA COLLECTION AND MONITORING  
Specific objective 
Supplement the collection of periodical disab ility-related statistics with a view to 
monitoring the situation of pe rsons with disabilities (E U-SILC, LFS AHM, EHIS and 
EDSIM) 
Key actions When 
– Monitor the situation on disabled pe rsons on the labour market through 
the 2011 LFS AHM on employment of pe rsons with disab ilities with an 
option to repeat the mo dule after five years   
2011-2012 
 
EN 19   EN – Develop and implement a specific EU wide survey on health and social 
integration based on a revised Eu ropean Disability and Social 
Integration Module EDSIM with an option to repeat the module after 
five years  
2012-2013 
– Collate complementary information on activity limitations and 
activities of daily livin g through European Health Interview Surveys 
EHIS on a five-years basis, starting in 2014 2014 
– Work with the Washington City Group and the Budapest Initiative for a 
common approach of disability st atistics at international level  Ongoing 
 
– Work towards a legal basis for a health and social integration survey 
implementing Regulation (EC) 1338/ 2008 on public health statistics 2013-2015 
– Make use of the independent academ ic disability expert network to 
collect data on the situation of persons with disabilities in Member States and analyse relevant related policy and legislation. Ongoing 
Monitor the role of disability in key Europe 2020 targets  
– On the basis of statistics and data collection, establish disability-related 
indicators linked to the Europe 2020 targets for education, employment 
and poverty reduction:  
(1) Employment (% of persons with  disabilities in the open labour 
market), linked to the target to raise the employment rate for women and men aged 20-64 to 75% 
(2) Poverty (% of persons with disabili ties at risk of poverty), linked to 
the target to lift at least 20 milli on people out of the risk of poverty 
and exclusion  
(3) Education (% of persons with disabilities having completed tertiary 
education), linked to the target to  raise the share of 30-34 years old 
having completed tertiary e ducation to at least 40%  
 
  
2013 
  
 
Promote independent monitoring of the implementation of the UNCRPD  
– Make a proposal to establish a framework, including one or more 
independent mechanisms, with the aim of promoting, protecting and 
monitoring the implementation of the UNCRPD  2011 
Foster the effective implementa tion of the UNCRPD in Europe 
– Regularly organise a work forum with the national and European 
implementation and monitoring mechanisms under the UNCRPD 2010-2015 
 
EN 20   EN – Organise training for legal and polic y practitioners on legal matters 
related to the UNCRPD 2011-2012 
Monitor the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020  
– Preparatory work for the report to the Committee on the Rights of 
persons with Disabilities on the implementation of the UNCRPD in 
Europe  2010-2015 
– Report on the implementation of the European Disability Strategy 
2010-2020 actions and propose an update 2013 
– Publish and regularly update an on line table with key national and EU 
instruments for the implementation of the UNCRPD 2010-2015 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN DISABILITY STRATEGY 2010-2020:  
ACTIONS TO COMPLY WITH THE UNCRPD  OBLIGATIONS WITHIN EU 
INSTITUTIONS  
The UN Convention is bindi ng in its entirety on the EU institutions. Together with the other 
institutions, the Commission will screen the Convention to identify action needed within 
them, including recruitment of people with di sabilities to the EU institutions and more 
accessible buildings, websites,  ICT tools and documents. 
Specific objective 
Screen the UN Convention to id entify action needed within EU institu tions to comply 
with its obligations 
Key actions When 
– Address employment matters of women and men with disabilities in the 
EU institutions  2010-2015 
– Ensure that in the EU Institutions ' recruitment process people with 
disabilities compete on an equal foo ting with non-disabled candidates, 
by improving the accessibility of test  centres, IT tool s and selection 
procedures and granting reasonable accommodation Ongoing 
– Improve accessibility of buildings, websites, events, ICT tools, 
applications and documents 2010-2015 
– Create an inter-institutional group to coordinate the implementation of 
the UN Convention Ongoing