EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 65/258

(2004/C 65 E/272)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3016/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: European Year of People with Disabilities

Given that the European Year of People with Disabilities is now coming to an end, and that criticism is mounting from organisations representing people with disabilities about the lack of support and financial resources both at national and at Community level — and specifically from Portuguese organisations such as CNOD — to allow them to take part in various activities of interest to people with disabilities,

and that one of their major demands is for a proposal for a directive, pursuant to Article 13 of the Treaty, to combat discrimination on grounds of disability, something which was, moreover, envisaged in my report on implementing the Social Policy Agenda (A5-0247/2003), adopted by the European Parliament on 3 September 2003,

would the Commission provide details of the action and measures it plans in response to these demands?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2003)

Article 2 of the Council Decision 2001/903/EC of 3 December 2001 establishing the European Year of People with Disabilities (EYPD) (1) defines the objectives of the European Year. These include awareness raising, exchange of good practice and reinforcement of co-operation between the various stakeholders. Article 11 stipulates EUR 12 million as the available budget for the EYPD.

It can already be said now that the EYPD is successful in achieving its objectives. The enthusiasm of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders is reflected through thousands of activities that are being implemented in 2003. One consequence of the great interest in the EYPD is that not all activities could be supported within the given financial framework.

The EYPD is, however, not an end in itself. The Commission as well as all Member States are dedicated to making sure that the EYPD is properly followed up. Portugal for example intends to present a new fundamental and general law on disability and chronic illness; a law on non-governmental organisations representing people with disabilities and people with chronic illnesses and a national action plan promoting accessibility (2004-2011).

The Commission has issued a Communication on the follow up to the EYPD that introduces a rolling multi-annual Action Plan with the time horizon of 2010. The goal of the Action Plan is to mainstream disability issues into relevant Community policies and develop concrete actions in crucial areas to enhance the integration of people with disabilities. Three overall objectives are central to the proposed approach: achieving full application of Council Directive (2000/78/EC) (2), reinforcing mainstreaming of disability issues in relevant Community policies, and improving accessibility for all.

With regard to a Disability Directive based on Article 13 the Commission considers — as outlined in the response to Written Question E-2112/2003 by Mr de Rossa (3) — that the current priority is to ensure that the existing Community legislation (Directive 2000/78/EC) is fully transposed into national law.

In so far as the future of Union anti-discrimination policy is concerned, the Commission intends to launch a public consultation (Green Paper) in spring 2004 on the future strategy to combat discrimination. This paper will take stock of progress made in Union anti-discrimination policy and will raise issues/questions regarding future policy development. It will also address the new challenges posed by the enlargement of the Union and will help to map out the way ahead for Union action on equality over the next five years or more.

(1) OJ L 335, 19.12.2001.

(2) Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.

(3) OJ C 11 E, 15.1.2004, p. 248.