CELEX: 51987PC0342
Language: en
Date: 1987-07-20
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing an action programme at Community level to promote the vocational rehabilitation and economic integration of people with disabilities#Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION adopting an action programme at Community level to promote the social integration and independent living of people with disabilities#(submitted by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (87) 342
Vol. 1987/0193
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                    COM(87 ) 342 final
                                                    Brussels , 20 July 1987
                                  Proposai for a
                                 COUNCIL DECISION
    establishing an action programme at Community level to promote the
     vocational rehabilitation and economic integration of people with
                                   di sabi lities
                                  Proposai for a
                                 COUNCIL DECISION
   adopting an action programme at Community level to promote the social
       integration and independent living of people with disabilities
                         ( submitted by the Commission )    ,
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C0M(87 ) 342 final
 ---pagebreak---                    CONTENTS OF THE COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION : The context , scope and structure of the
               Communi cation
PART I       : MEMORANDUM comprising a proposal for a
               second action programme to promote the
               social and economic integration and
               independent living of people with
               disabilities ( 1988-1991 )
               ANNEX :   Financial Note
               Two DRAFT COUNCIL DECISIONS with ANNEXES setting out
               the activities to be undertaken by the Commission
PART II        Report on the first action programme to
               promote the social integration of
               disabled people ( 1983-1987 )
 ---pagebreak---                           1
  Communication to the Council presenting a second action
  programme to promote the social and economic integration
 of disabled persons and their independent Living .
 INTRODUCTION : THE CONTEXT, PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE OF THE COMMUNICATION
 1 . Even by a conservative estimate , there are over 30 million
 citizens of the European Community who experience long-term
 physical , mental or psychological disabilities at a moderate or
 severe level . Nor is any significant decline in this number
 foreseen , since the reduction of impairments through medical
advances , and of resulting handicaps through technical progress ,
 is offset by many factors including high accident rates , increased
survival in infancy and extended life expectancy . Moreover ,
there are significant and developing qualitative changes in the
needs and potential of the disabled population , resulting above
all from national measures to encourage those previously in long¬
term residential institutions to live in the open community ,
from rapid development of self-help organizations and advocacy
among the disabled people themselves and from new opportunities
offered by technical aids to learning , mobility , communication
and environmental control .
2 . On the one hand therefore the need and possibility for new
levels of aspiration in promoting the social and economic integration
of disabled people are developing rapidly and continuously ; but
on the other hand the realisation of these hopes is impeded by
economic constraint which takes the double form of continuing
difficulties both in the employment market and in providing the
services and technical aids essential to independent living and
economic integration . In all Member States of the Community new
positive measures will be needed if this conflict is not to
result in an actual decline in the situation of disabled people
in the next decade rather than progress towards the social
integration to which all national policies are committed .
3 . Support at Community level to these national efforts concentrated
originally on technical exchange of experience , but recently there
has developed a much stronger emphasis on the preparation of
Community instruments with a view to the establishment over
time of a coherent and comprehensive policy for disabled people .
Focused at first on employment and vocational training , this new
approach will extend also in the future to all other aspects of
independent living with particular reference to problems of
mobility and access and to the contribution of new technologies .
These developments arise out of the action programme which the
Commission has been operating over the last four years .
                        ( 1 )
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 2 -
    4.  On 21 December 1981 the Council adopted a Resolution ( 1 )
 establishing an action programme to promote the social integration
 of disabled people in the European Community . This initiative
 was inspired by the United Nations International Year of Disabled
 People , and responded to proposals which the Commission had set
 out in a Communication ( 2 ) and which themselves took into account
 initiatives which had been launched earlier in the year both by
 the European Parliament ( 3 ) and the Economic and Social Committee ( 4 ).
    5.  The effect of the Council Resolution of December 1981 was
to extend , in both duration and scope , the terms of the
 Resolution of 27 June 1974 ( 5 ) which had established a programme
to promote the vocational rehabilitation of the handicapped .
 The 1981 Resolution called moreover for a comprehensive set of
measures to promote social integration at national level , as well
as inviting the Commission to undertake a number of actions at
Community level in support of the efforts of Member States .
   6 . In order to respond to this invitation the Commission
established within its services in May 1982 a Bureau for Action
in favour of Disabled People . However , the approximate amount
of credits which the Commission had foreseen as necessary in
order to carry out the Community level activities proposed in the
1981 Resolution were not made available in the Commission 's
budget for the first time until 1984 ; no additional provision
was made in 1982 and only half that required in 1983 . The
Commission has tehrefore taken the view that the four-year action
programme envisaged should be seen as having started in mid-1983
and as finishing in mid-1987 .
   7.  The Commission believes that the action programme now
nearing its end has made a valuable contribution to the promotion
(1 )   OJ  C347 of 31.12.81 p.1
(2)    OJ  C347 of 31.12.81 p.14
(3)    OJ  C77 of 6.4.81 p.27
(4)    OJ  C230 of 10.9.81 p.38
( 5)   OJ  C80 of 9.7.74 p.30
                                 ( 2 )
 ---pagebreak---                       - 3 -
of a more active and independent life for disabled people
throughout the Community, and has evidence that that conviction
is widely shared by decision makers and professionals concerned
and by associations of disabled people . It has therefore no
hesitation in recommending the establishment of a second action
programme, similar in broad terms to the first but modified as
to its emphasis and structure in the light of experience and
changing circumstances . In order to avoid a break between
the two programmes , it is suggested that the second half of
1987 should be seen as a period for continuing and modifying
activities which will span the programmes and for active
preparation of new ones . A duration of four years , from
1988 to 1991 , would therefore seem appropriate for the second
action programme itself .
  8.  What follows in this Communication consists of these
elements :
-  Part I - Proposal for a second action programme 1988-91 ,
   with Financial Annex .
   Two draft Council Decisions establishing a programme of
   action at Community level ( 1988-91 ) to promote the social
   and economic integration and independent living of people
   with disabilities; with Annexes setting out the activities
   to be undertaken by the Commission.
-  Part II - Report on the 1983-7 action programme to promote
   the social integration of disabled people . The Report
   includes evaluation as well as description .
                     ( 3 )
 ---pagebreak---                                - 4 -
 PART I    PROPOSAL FOR A SECOND ACTION PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE THE
           SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION AND INDEPENDENT LIVING
          OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 1988-1991
 A.   THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME
 1 . The Commission proposes that the action programme to be undertaken at
 Community Level from 1988 onwards should be seen as a natural extension of
 the programme established by the 1981 Resolution of the Council on the
 social integration of disabled people ( 1 ), but that its full title should
be somewhat enlarged so that it will be known as " The Second Action
 Programme to promote the social and economic integration and the independent
 living of people with disabilities ". The addition of the word 'economic' is
necessary in view both of the valuable contribution which disabled people
make to the economy and in line with the assertion of the right of equal
opportunity for employment in the 1986 Recommendation on the Employment of
 Disabled People ( 2 ). Moreover the experience of the first action programme
has shown that a reference to 'independent living' is also essential , since
a reasonable level of autonomy is a prerequisite of social integration .
2 . The proposal of the Commission is that the programme should consist of
three principal interdependent elements :
     a ) The encouragement and , where appropriate , initiation of policy
     guidelines at Community level concerning the principal components of
     social and economic integration ;
     b ) The support of positive action by means of technical cooperation at
     European level , aiming to promote innovation , facilitate the exchange
     of experience and ensure the dissemination of good practice ;
     c)   The planned development of systems of information and documentation
     at European level .
3.   It is important to stress the interdependence of these three elements
and to foster it .    The information and document servi ces depend on policy
initiatives and technical cooperation for the range and quality of material
available to them ; equally , it is obvious that without those services the
results of technical and policy activity remain largely unknown . Policy
development must be based on a realistic appraisal of needs and possibilities
obtained 'in the field' , while positive action at the practical level must
reflect policy priorities . 'Cross-fertilization' between partners in the
various elements will also be encouraged . Already , for example , in the first
action programme members of the European Network of Rehabilitation Centres have
made a vital contribution to the development of Handynet , and Non-governmental
Organizations , District Projects and Network Centres have all contributed
to establishing the technical basis for policy development . Interactions
of this kind will be continued and developed in the future programme .
(D     OJ C347 of 31.12.81
(2)    OJ L225 of 12.8.86 p.43
                              ( 4 )
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 5 -
 4.    The Commission believes that , given the good progress made in the first
 programme , a period of four years ( 1988-91 inclusive ) will be sufficient
 to ensure significant advances towards a common European approach to all the
 major policy issues raised by disability , and important changes in the extent
 to which disabled people in all Community countries are enabled to achieve
 their potential of autonomous living and of participation in social , economic ,
 cultural and political Life . It is particularly important to reassert at this
point that , even though it cannot be imagined that all can achieve the same
 level of active autonomy , yet all categories and all levels of disability
are included in the programme 's terms of reference and the aims of the
programme are relevant to them .
5 . Considerable as will be the progress which will be made during the second
action programme , the Commission cannot imagine that it will end there . The
importance of disabled people and their potential as active citizens have
been frequently demonstrated in the first action programme and have now been
for the first time formally recognized by the European Community through
the adoption by the Council of the Recommendation on the Employment of
Disabled People . There can be no doubt that the Community , having
established the political will to work in this field and proved its ability
to do so effectively , will wish to continue with this work in the long term .
B.    INITIATIVES AT POLICY LEVEL
6 . For an appreciable time     the Commission has made it clear that its second
initiative at policy level ,    following the 1986 Employment Recommendation ,
would be concerned with the     physical environment of disabled people . The
theme is however a vast and     complex one , and it would not be possible to
deal with it in one go; to do so would create as many problems for the
Council and for the Parliament as for the Commission itself .       The Commission
therefore proposes to undertake the initiative in three phases , with the
following timetable :
      (i)     Proposals concerning the mobi lity of disabled people , including
      transport : submitted by the Commission in the Summer of 1987 .
      ( ii )  Proposals concerning access to public facilities , submitted by
      the Commission at the end of 1987 .
      ( iii ) Proposals concerning housing ( including support to independent
      living in the home ), submitted by the Commission in the Summer of 1988 .
The first two of these initiatives will constitute the Commission 's main
contribution, in the disability field , to the European Year of the
Environment which is being organized during 1987 .
7 . It is foreseen that , for all three themes , the Commission will propose a
set of policy guidelines to which will be linked a more detailed code of good
practice . In addition , the Commission will propose the setting up of
permanent official working parties to monitor implementation of the guidelines
and ensure with the Commission that attention is given to these themes in
other activities of the second action programme ( for example , in exchange
networks and in information initiatives ) ( 1 ) .
( 1 ) see paragraph 35 below
                                 ( 5 )
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 6 -
 8 . The Commission has also previously signalled its intention to choose
 the theme of Incomes and Benefits for the third in its series of policy
 initiatives . The Commission has started preparatory work in this field ,
 not with the intention of establishing proposals which would cover all
 aspects of this enormous domain Can inappropriate and probably impractic ¬
 able aim ), but rather in order to identify those priority issues in respect
 of which Community action would be most justifiable and effective .
 9 . Since the end of 1989 will be the midway stage of the second action
 programme , and since at that point the Commission will have completed its
 first two policy initiatives ( employment and the physical environment ),
the Commission believes that this could be a good moment to organize a
ministerial meeting or conference to review the progress and impact of the
activity at policy level up to that date and discuss future orientations .
 C.   TECHNICAL COOPERATION
 10 . In order to ensure , as far as possible , the active and direct partici ¬
pation of regional and local authorities , professionals , associations of
and for disabled people and social partners in the opportunity for European
exchange which the Community can offer , while at the same time developing
the potential of the present scheme to promote better housing for disabled
people , the Commission proposes that the technical cooperation element of
the second action programme should comprise four activities :
      a)   An extended network of rehabilitation centres
     b ) A network of local innovatory projects , focusing either on coordina¬
tion of services or on more specific priority issues identified in para 17
below
      c ) A programme of prizes and exhibitions on the theme of
independent living
     d ) A continuation of the present scheme of subventions to activities
of European collaboration , notably those undertaken by Non-governmental
Organizations .
Lines of development for these four strands are given briefly below .      The
means for collaboration between the Commission and the Member States on
these activities will be discussed in paras 35-36 below .
      (i )  The extended Network of Rehabilitation Centres
11 . The need to maintain , as distinct from a network of local initiatives
involving many sectors and services , a specifically professional network
of rehabilitation establi shments, derives from the nature of the rehabilitation
process itself and the importance of the challenge which is facing those
engaged in it . Rehabilitation has its own necessary complexity : it involves
process over time , consisting of several interlocking phases - medical ,
functional , vocational , social . Certain inputs may be needed in more than
one , or in all , these stages ( therapy or welfare services , for example );
                                ( 6 )
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 7 -
every stage will call for a multidisciplinary approach to work on behalf of
the professionals involved - Moreover even those rehabilitation systems and
establishments which are operating at the most advanced level are faced by
new and challenging problems : the impact of new technologies , the increased
competitiveness of the labour market , the demand of clients for a more active
role in their own rehabilitation .    The Commission is convinced that the
Community will not be able to make an appropriate contribution by way of
response to this challenge unless there is a distinct programme element
devoted to it .
12 . In the Report on the first action programme ( Part II , paragraphs 17-20)
two priorities were identified for the Network 's future - the need to ensure
a more even representation of the major categories of disability , and the
ongoing responsibility to develop dissemination strategies . As to the first
point , the most important aspects of under-representation affecting the
Network as a whole are in the psychiatric and sensory fields ; for some
Member States there is also a certain lack of balance in representation of
physical and mental disabilities .    The solution will involve a certain
increase in the number of Network members , combined with a decrease in the
frequency with which they all meet together : more stress can then be put
on activities which correspond to the real interests of sub-groups of
Network members .
13 . One 'plenary' conference per year would in this case be sufficient :
the work could focus on a major theme of importance to the rehabilitation
of all categories of disabled people , and on the rehabilitation system of
the Member State hosting the conference . The other present activities of
the Network ( study visits , seminars , training courses , working parties
engaged to produce repors or guidelines ) will continue with an iocreased
emphasis on small specialized seminars and professional training .     During
the first two years of the programme , special resources of the Network will
be devoted to integrating the Portuguese and Spanish centres into its
activities .
14 . As to the question of dissemination , membership of the Network will
involve accepting the responsibility of Correspondent with a number of
other rehabilitation centres ( organically linked to the member centre , or
at least engaged in similar work ); these other centres will together
constitute the Outer Network .   It will be obligatory to allow a reasonable
number of places on seminars and study visits to Outer Network members ;
they will also receive the Network 's publications free of charge and be
invited regularly to comment on them . The use of video for disseminating
good practice within and beyond the Network will be developed .
15 . As has been the case since the Network was first established in 1974 ( 1 )
membership of the Network will be decided by the Commission on the basis
of proposals from the Member States . The Member States will be free to
modify their membership proposals during the course of the programme .
Establishments or groups of establishments nominated to Network membership
will be represented by full-time rehabilitation professionals who may be
( 1 ) 0J C80 of 9.7.74 p.30
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 8 -
 directors of centres ( or their deputies ), directors of associations of
 centres , or the Like . Centres will not be represented by chairmen or
 members of governing councils , or by persons holding positions in ministries .
       ( ii )  The Network of local innovatory projects
 16 . The generally positive experience of the District Projects on Social
 Integration in the first programme ( see Part II , paragraphs 11-16 ) has
 reaffirmed the importance of innovation at the local level and demonstrated
the value of offering an opportunity for European exchange to those engaged
 in it . On the other hand , certain difficulties experienced in the District
Project programme suggest that any such future networking should not be
directly dependent on European Social Fund support , and that there should
be room for projects somewhat more concentrated in their aims as well as for
a certain number of coordination projects which would follow more directly
 in the footsteps of the District Projects .
17 . It is therefore proposed that    the Commission establish , coordinate and
support , throughout the four-year    period of the second action programme , a
network of nationally identified ,    locally based innovatory projects ,
concerned with any of these three     areas :
      - general coordination of services in order to promote social and
economic integration ( 'Coordination Projects' )
      -    vocational training and employment ( 'Vocational Projects' )
      -    the environment and resources for independent living ( 'Environment
Projects' )
18 . All projects would be nominated to the Network by the Commission on the
basis of proposals made by Member States in the light of criteria set out
by the Commission after discussion with the representatives of national
ministries ( see Section F below ). In view of the particular difficulties
which coordination involves , the Commission would , within the limits of
annual budget possibilities , offer modest financial support to the coordination
costs of certain Coordination Projects accepted into the Network . Otherwise ,
whether a locality nominated to the Network were or were not in receipt of
any direct grant from a Community source for activity in the field of
disability would be indifferent to its membership of the Network , except in
so far as Member States might wish to nominate as 'Vocational Projects'
localities which were beneficiaries ( or applicants ) under the innovatory
section of the European Social Fund , or as 'Environment Projects' localities
benefiting from the programme element described in paragraphs 20-24 below .
                                  ( 8 )
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 9 -
19 . Within the limits of the credits available , the Commission would
offer the following Networking services at European level :
     -  meetings for project leaders
     -  a newsletter and documentation service
     - support for twinnings or visit programmes
     - support for the 'European' input to national conferences
focusing on Network themes and experiences
     - advice from Commission consultants who would also prepare reports
on problems encountered and progress made in regard to priority issues .
     Ciii ) Positive action to promote independent living
20 . The European Social Fund is a powerful source of direct support to
the training and employment of disabled people ; within much stricter budget
limits , it is essential to balance the contribution by means of a distinct
programme element concerned with the supporting environment to independent
living . The evaluation of the first action programme 's scheme to promote
better housing for disabled people ( Part II , paragraphs 21-23 ) reveals that
mobility and access are no less essential and relevant to the aims than
housing ; and that there is a pressing need , from both a technical and a
policy point of view , to demonstrate and disseminate the results of projects
stimulated by the Commission support .
21 . It is evident that it would not be possible to do all these things at
once , over the whole four-year period , without unrealistic budgetary
implications at Community level . If however one sees the problem as a
search for a cost-effective , concerted European effort designed to have a
significant impact by the end of the four years , a promising solution presents
itself , involving concentration on a given major theme each year . The series
of themes could be arranged as follows :
22 . Year 1 ( 1988-89 ) Housing , home services and aids in the home
     Year 2 ( 1989-90 ) Mobility and Transport ( Everyday movement and travel )
     Year 3 ( 1990-91 ) Access to Public Buildings and Facilities
     Year 4 ( 1991-92 ) A coherent Environment - the interplay of mobility ,
                        access and housing , plus coordinated services of
                        advice and information .
To give time to launch the programme properly, there would need to be some
overlapping of calendar years , but the extension into 1992 would involve
payments only , not commitments .
23 . Each theme would be treated by means of a concerted European programme
involving :
                                ( 9 )
 ---pagebreak---                                        10 -
       - Awards of prizes to completed projects submitted to the Commission
 by the appropriate national authorities ;
      - Presentation of prizes and demonstration of the projects
 concerned at one annual Conference and Exhibition , at which a significant
 proportion of the invited membership would be representatives of disabled
 people ;
      - Publication of the projects and conference proceedings for wide
 dissemination in as many Community languages as possible .
 24 . The Commission would draw on the support of the official Working Party
 concerned ( see paragraph 35 below ) for the oversight of this whole programme
 element . Much of the practical work required for each annual programme would
 be secured by contract .
      ( iv )   Support for the European Cooperation of Non-governmental Organizations
 25 . Having proved itself one of the most successful elements in the first
action programme ( see Part II , paragraphs 24-27 ) all that will be needed will
be to maintain its level of importance in the programme , keep a check on the
balance of the activities supported ( particularly as between the various
disabilities ), increase the technical element in the support offered by the
Commission , and create the resources to ensure that the results of the various
activities are widely disseminated . These last two objectives will be a
principal responsibility of the Documentation Service to be described in the
next section . At the same time , the Commission will continue to encourage
the formation of associations at European level , and to facilitate active
participation of disabled people ( and where appropriate their parents ) in
all aspects of the programme .
      D.     INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION
      (i )    The Handynet Project
26 . By the time the second action programme begins in January 1988 , the
first module of Handynet , " Handyaids " ( profiles of technical aids and
directories of those involved in them ), will have been launched at an
operational level : part of the European file will exist , with the means for
updating , storing , transmitting and accessing the information it contains .
During 1988 the Handyaids European file will continue to be built , and it is
hoped that the national data-col lection centres will have been designated in
all Member States and be actively contributing to the project . In parallel
with this operational development , decisions will have to be made in 1988
concerning priorities and timetables for the establishment of other Handynet
modules - concerning employment , education and training , the environment
( mobility , access , housing ), social security and other benefits , and
prevention . From then on , the pattern of development will depend on these
decisions , and its pace on national and Community resources . It is understood
that Handynet is a long-term project , and will still have a lot of growing to
do when the second action programme finishes in 1991 .
                                    ( 10 )
 ---pagebreak---                                     11
 27 . The two most important considerations for the Handynet project during
 the second action programme will be the procedures of consultation and
 decision , and the principles of financing the development and running costs
 of the system . As to consultation and decision making , the Commission will
 have the assistance of the official working parties described in paragraph 35
 below , as far as concerns specific modules ; for general oversight , the
 determination of priorities and the solving of problems of principle which
may arise , the Commission will work with the Committee described in
paragraph 36 .
 28 . As to financing , it is evident that both the pace and the scale of
the development of Handynet will depend on the resources available . The
correct underlying principle was already set out in the 1981 Social
 Integration Resolution , where the Commission is invited to 'pool the
 information , while taking into account the existing national information
systems , and ensure an exchange of information between the services
 involved _ 1 The implication would be that the Commission would be
expected to take responsibility for those expenses aimed at guaranteeing
the European added value , while Member States will ensure the
participation of certain centres chosen as partners in the project . This
 leaves a less certain area , which includes certain transmission costs . A
reasonable approach here would be that the Commission should be willing to
contribute to the costs in this 'grey' area , within the limits of its
budgetary possibilities ; some provision for this is therefore made in the
Financial Annex to this proposal .
29 . The nature and value of the Handynet project is set out in Part II ,
paragraph 32 . Of its technical feasibility there is no doubt ; the
Commission has moreover already shown that the technical capacity to
make it work can be mobilized . Its potential is very great , while at
the same time the pace of its development can be precisely controlled
by means of collaboration between the Commission and the Member States ,
a collaboration which is an essential element in the project 's character .
      ( ii ) The Documentation Service
30 . Building on the extremely limited service of documentation which the
Commission has been able to operate in the first action programme , the
Commission will establish a documentation service which , while still
limited in precise terms , will make a substantial contribution to meeting
the very great demand of which the Commission has been made aware . As
well as developing the content and distribution of the present District
Projects newsletter and Rehabilitation Network journal , the Commission
will establish a stock of political and technical documents ( including a
selection of studies , conference papers and official reports ) which will
be available to organizers of conferences or seminars who are members
of any of the Commission 's contact networks , as well as to organizers
of national conferences within the programme . In this way also the
Commission will be reinforcing the dissemination of the reports of conferences
and projects which have been organized at European level by Non-governmental
Organizations and others , and which the Commission has itself supported .
                                  ( 11 )
 ---pagebreak---                                      12 -
     E.     OTHER NEW INITIATIVES
     Ci )    Educational Integration
31 . In parallel with this proposal , the Commission is preparing a
programme of cooperation at Community level focusing on the educational
integration of children and young people with disabilities , in order to
follow up the 1984 Education Council Conclusions and subsequent work
described in Part II , paragraph 36 . While this activity will remain
within the framework of the Education Committee , and will be reported to
the Council and Ministers of Education , the Commission will ensure that ,
as far as is desirable , it will be operated as an integral part of the
second action programme for disabled people . Important linking factors
include the importance of basic educational provision in a number of
rehabilitation centres ; coordination of the roles of Eurydice and Handynet
in the development of systematic information concerning the education of
children with disabilities ; the inclusion of education in the local
Coordination Projects ( paragraphs 16-19 above ); the opportunity to promote
the participation of young disabled people in innovatory approaches , such
as linked work and training ; and the need described in the next paragraph ,
to develop a specific action on New Technologies and Disability .
     ( ii )   New Technologies and Disability
32 . Although a number of opportunities may occur , in the middle term ,
for projects concerning new technologies and disability to be included
in programmes which the Commission is already developing in the new
technologies field , the Commission is convinced that the comprehensive
and radical nature of the contribution which new technologies can make
to the lives of disabled people means that the response of the Community
to this challenge will be quite inadequate and ineffective unless the
Commission undertakes a specific action devoted to New Technologies and
Disability as such . During 1987 therefore the Commission will be preparing
proposals for this specific action , which will be submitted to the Council
during 1988 .
     ( iii )   CEDEFOP and vocational training
33 . A valuable contribution to the Commission 's work to promote
improvements in the vocational training of disabled people has recently
been developed with the technical assistance of CEDEFOP , and it is
intended to continue and develop this activity during the course of
the second action programme . This will make it possible for CEDEFOP
to complete the work it has started on vocational training with a view
to new types of employment opportunity for disabled people , and
encourage developing work on the training of women with disabilities .
                                   ( 12 )
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 13 -
     Civ )   Women and Disability
34 . A first European Seminar on 'Women and Disability' ,
organized with financial support from the Commission in 1986 , drew
attention to the particular problems experienced both by disabled
women and by women with special responsibilities in caring for
disabled children or adults in the home .    The Commission will ensure
that , in confronting these problems in the future , close coordination
will be maintained between the action programme for disabled people
and the Community mid-term programme on equality of opportunity for
women ( 1986-1990 ). The particular needs of disabled women will be
considered in the implementation of the Recommendation on the
Employment of Disabled People , in the preparation of new proposals
concerning the physical environment and incomes and in the design
of local projects . In the field of vocational training , a valuable
contribution will be made by the Network of Rehabilitation Centres
as well as by CEDEFOP ( see ( iii ) above ).
     F.    COOPERATION WITH NATIONAL AUTHORITIES
35 . Already in 1986 the Commission invited Member States to nominate
official representatives to an Employment Working Party in order to
ensure an effective follow-up to the Recommendation on the Employment
of Disabled People adopted by the Council in July 1986 . This Working
Party could be a useful vehicle for the discussion of all aspects
concerning vocational training as well as employment in the second
action programme . Moreover , in the series of environmental policy
initiatives , covering the areas of mobility, access and housing , which
the Commission will bring forward in 1987-8 , it is intended to propose
the establishment of a Working Party in these fields also . The
Employment Working Party would discuss with the Commission the follow-up
to the Employment Recommendation , the Network of Rehabilitation Centres ,
the local Vocational Projects ( paragraphs 16-19 above ) and the training
and employment modules of Handynet . The Environment Working Party would
be concerned with the follow-up to the Commission 's three policy
initiatives in the environmental field ( mobility , access , housing ),
the positive action to promote independent living ( paragraphs 20-24
above ), the local Environment Projects ( paragraphs 16-19 ) and the
environmental modules of Handynet . It should be noted that there
already exists a Working Party on Educational Integration which will
have a new mandate once the Commission 's proposals in the educational
field are adopted .
36 . To ensure effective management of the programme as a whole the
Commission proposes to invite Member States to nominate delegations
to a Committee of senior officials from relevant ministries in Member
States together with representatives of leading organizations of or
for disabled people at European level . The main functions of this
Committee are set out in the Draft Decision .
                                ( 13 )
 ---pagebreak---                             14 -
        G.  THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND
37 . Even though there has been some decline in recent years in the
percentage of European Social Fund subventions which have supported
projects in favour of the handicapped , there is no doubt that the
 Fund has made , and continues to make , a considerable contribution to
the vocational rehabilitation of disabled people in the Member States ,
and so to their economic integration . It is widely recognized among
associations of disabled people and by those who work with and for them
that this European contribution has provided important added value and
that without it essential initiatives and developments would simply not
have occurred .
38 . The specificity of the needs of the 30 million or more disabled
people in the European Community needs to be taken into account in
all activities of the Community aiming to combat unemployment ( includ¬
ing particularly long-term unemployment ) and exploit the new technologies
for growth and employment . As far as concerns specifically the European
Social Fund , the Council Recommendation on the Employment of Disabled
People in the European Community adopted on 24 July 1986 , stresses the
importance of its contribution in inviting the Commission " to maintain
appropriate aid from the European Social Fund to assist disabled people
of whatever age ". In particular it will be important to ensure that
the needs of disabled people outside the priority regions are not
neglected , and that training aimed at innovatory forms of employment
( such as cooperatives ) is encouraged as well as training involving
new technologies . It may be mentioned here that it is intended to
continue and develop during the course of the second action programme
cooperation between the responsible services of the Commission in
support of the programme of Exceptional Financial Support for Greece
in the Social Field , as far as concerns both the vocational training of
disabled people and the rehabilitation aspects of the psychiatric
 reform ( 1 ).
        H.  CONCLUSION
39 . The Commission requests the Council to adopt two Decisions which
will establish the second action programme to promote the social and
economic integration and independent living of people with disabilities ,
to extend over the foui–year period 1988-1991 . The Commission will
report on the execution and achievement of the programme before the
end of 1991 .
 ( 1 ) It should be noted that the activities within this programme
       which concern vocational training are not in themselves eligible
       for support from the European Social Fund; they constitute an
       essential complement to the contribution of the Fund to the
       vocational training of disabled people .
                           ( 14 )
 ---pagebreak---                      COMBINED FINANCIAL NOTE
ACTION PROGRAMMES TO PROMOTE THE INTEGRATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE
                             1988 - 91
  Summary I     Development of the cost of the three programmes
                1988-91
  Summary II    Cost of the three programmes according to budget
                lines 1988
  Summary III   Cost of the three programmes according to
                activities 1988
  Financial Notes
  A.  Vocational Rehabi litation and Economie Integration Programme
  B.  Social Integration and Independent Living Programme
  C.  Educational Integration Programme
                                 ( 15 )
 ---pagebreak---     SUMMARY I
1 . Vocational Rehab ,
      Economic Intégration
2 . Social Integration ,
      Independent Living
3 . Educational Integration
Totals
of which , chapter 63
 Totals , chapter 64
 ---pagebreak---    SUMMARY II
                               COST OF THE THREE PROGRAMMES , ACCORDING TO BUDGET LINES , 1988
              Vocational Rehab          Social Integration          Educational Integration    Totals
              Economic Integration      Independent Living
6450                 953.000               1.735.000                      353.000              3.041.000
6451                 565.000                                                                     565.000
6453                                       1.101.000                                           1.101.000
6401                                         145.000                       40.000                185.000
63000                                                                     125.000                125.000
638                                                                        45.000                 45.000
Totals             1.518.000               2.981.000                      563.000              5.062.000
                                                  ( 17 )
 ---pagebreak---      SUMMARY III
                                 COST OF THE THREE PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO ACTIVITIES , 1988
                                                       Social Integration      Educ . Integration   Totals
                                Vocational Rehab ,
                                Economic Integr'n      Independent Living
                                       40.000                    90.000                    -        130.000
1 . Policy Development
                                     290.000                   360.000                  105.000     755.000
2 . Cordination / Documentation
                                     385.000                                               -        385.000
3 . Rehab . Centres Network                                        -
                                      141.000                   588.000                   78.000    807.000
4 . Local Projects
                                                                440.000                    -        440.000
 5 . Independent Living                  -
                                      240.000                   660.000                    -        900.000
 6 . NGO's etc.
                                      422.000                   843.000                 130.000   1.395.000
 7 . Handynet
                                                                   -                    180.000      180.000
 8 . Educ . NT                           -
                                                                                          70.000      70.000
 9 . Educ . Stud . Visits                 -
                                                                    -
                                    1.518.000                 2.981.000                  563.000  5.062.000
  Totals
                                                       ( 18 )
 ---pagebreak---     COMBINED FINANCIAL NOTE - INTEGRATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE
 A. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION PROGRAMME
 1.  Budget lines        6450, 6451
 2.  Legal basis         Article 128 of the Treaty
                         «
3.   Classification      Non-obligatory expenditure . Non-dissociated credits
4.   Description of the Action
     4.1 . Aims
           To promote the vocational rehabilitation and economic integration
of disabled people throughout the European Community .
     4.2 . Persons concerned
           People with physical , mental or psychological disabilities ; public
or private bodies and professionals concerned with or providing vocational
services for disabled people .
5.   Nature of expenditure and method of calculation
     5.1 . Nature
           Contracts to establish groups of experts to coordinate , animate
and evaluate programme activities ; contracts for consultancy, for studies ,
for the organization of seminars , for the carrying out of technical
services in the development of data banks and for the operation of
documentation services ; grants for development projects , study visits ,
exchange programmes , conferences and other encounters organized by outside
bodies ; secretarial , documentation and publication costs .
    5.2 . Calculations
           General Remarks
           The development which it is proposed to bring about consists of
an extension in range and scale of the activity of the Network of rehabi
litation centres , the establishment of a network of local vocational
projects , as well as the operational development of the Handynet project
as far as concerns vocational training and employment .
                               ( 19 )
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 2 -
           All figures are in Ecus and give the estimated cost of the
programme for the first of the four years ( 1988 ). Substantial increases
for the succeeding three years are not envisaged, though there may well
be a need to modify the ventilation between items , the details of which
 cannot be foreseen . The total cost of the four-year programme , allowing
3.5% inflation per year , is estimated at 6.398.284 Ecus .
           Detai ls
            (i)   Policy Development
                  One consultation seminar             40.000
           Cii ) Coordination and Evaluation of all Exchange Activities :
                  Documentation Service
           These services will be undertaken by one expert unit covering
the coordination, evaluation and documentation needs of all three
programmes described in this Combined Note . The cost of these services
as far as concerns the vocational rehabilitation and economic integration
programme is estimated at 290.000 Ecus .
         ( iii ) Network of Rehabilitation Centres
          The extension of the Network will involve a membership of about
50 centres ( 30 in the first action programme ) and an increase in the
size and frequency of the published outputs . The new total proposed is
385.000 per year ( 300.000 in 1986, including coordination cost now
transferred to item ( ii ) above ).    The breakdown will be :
          20 group study visits at 5.000             100.000
             5 seminars at 20.000                    100.000
          30 training stages at 2.000                 60.000
             1 plenary conférence                     50.000
          Journal and other information outputs       75.000   ( 50.000 in 1986)
                                                     385.000
           ( iv ) Local projects
The detai ls are :
     -  support for one European conference ,
        in cooperation with national
        authorities                                   25.000
     - 20 group study visits at 4.000                 80.000
     - one project-leader seminar at 30.000           30.000
     - one consultant for 2 months , at 3.000           6.000
                                                     141.000
                                 ( 20 )
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 3 -
               (v)    Non-governmental Organizations
            approx . 16 subventions , averaging          240.000
            15.000 each
               ( vi ) Handynet Project
            Costs of central coordination and
            preparation of new modules , as far
            as concerns vocational rehabilitation
            and employment                               367.000
            Cost of establishing gateways to
            other data bases                              55.000
                                                         422.000
           Total for 1988                                             1.518.000
              Allowing for inflation at 3,51 per year, the cost for the
succeeding years would be 1.571.130 ( 1989), 1.626.120 ( 1990) and
1.683.034 ( 1991 ) giving a four-year total cost of 6.398.284 .
              The distribution among the budget lines for 1988 will be as
follows :
                                      6450          6451           Totals
(i )     Policy Development          40.000                         40.000
( ii )   Coordination and           290.000                        290.000
         Documentation
( iii ) Centres Network                           385.000          385.000
( iv )   Local Projects             141.000                        141.000
( v)     NGOs                        60.000       180.000          240.000
( vi )   Handynet                   422.000                        422.000
                                    953.000       565.000        1.518.000
6.     Financial implications of the action for intervention appropriations
       6.1 . Share for Community financing
              Study, service and coordination contracts , 100% Community
financing .
              Subventions to projects , seminars , study visits , etc . undertaken
by public or private bodies in Member States shared according to type
of action .
                                     ( 21 )
 ---pagebreak---                                    4
    6.2 . Method of financing
          Non-di ssoci ated crédit .
7.  Needs for personnel
          Present personnel : 1 A3 , 1 A4-7 , 2 B , 2 C.
          The Commission will be assisted in the implementation of the
programme by specialized agencies and by the service of experts , the
cost of which will be met by means of the budget allowed for this
programme .
                                 ( 22 )
 ---pagebreak---     COMBINED FINANCIAL NOTE - INTEGRATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE
                             ( Continued)
B. SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMME
1.   Budget Lines       6450, 6451 , 6453, 6401 ( partial )
2.   Legal basis        Article 235 of the Treaty
3.   Classification     Non-obligatory expenditure .   Non-dissociated credits,
                       except for line 6453
4.   Description of the Action
     4.1 . Aims
           To promote the social integration and independent living of
disabled people throughout the European Community .
    4.2 . Persons concerned
           People with physical , mental or psychological disabilities ;
public or private bodies and professionals concerned with or providing
services for disabled people .
5.  Nature of expenditure and method of calculation
    5.1 . Nature
           Contracts to establish groups of experts to coordinate , animate
and evaluate programme activities ; contracts for consultancy , for studies ,
for the organization of seminars , for the carrying out of technical
services in the development of data banks and for the operation of docu¬
mentation services ; grants for development projects , study visits ,
exchange programmes , conferences and other encounters organized by
outside bodies ; secretarial , documentation and publication costs .
    5.2 . Calculations
           General Remarks
           The development which it is proposed to bring about consists
of the establishment of two networks of local projects and of a special
action to promote independent living, as well as the operational development
of the Handynet project as far as concerns social integration and independent
living .
                                    ( 23 )
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 2 -
              ALL figures are in Ecus and give the estimated cost of the
 programme for the first of the four years ( 1988 ). SubstantiaL increases
 for the succeeding three years are not envisaged , though there may weLL
 be a need to modify the ventilation between items / the detaiLs of which
 cannot be foreseen . The totaL cost of the four-year programme , a L Lowing
 3 . 51 inf Lation per year, is estimated at 12.564.745 Ecus .
              Detai ls
            (i)      PoLicy Development                   • -
                     Two studies                       90.000
            ( ii )   Coordination and EvaLuation of aLL Exchange Activities :
                     Documentation Service
              These services will be undertaken by one expert unit covering
the coordination , evaluation and documentation needs of all three
programmes described in this Combined Note .       The cost of these services
as far as concerns the social integration and independent Living
programme is estimated at 360.000 Ecus .
           ( iii )   Local projects
The details are :
       -  support for 2 European conférences ;
          in coopération with national
          authorities , per year at 25.000             50.000
       - 40 group study visits at 4.000               160.000
       - 2 project-leader seminars at 30.000           60.000
       - 3 consultants for 2 month each ,
          at 3.000                                     18.000
       -  20 direct grants for Coordination
          Projects , at 15.000                        300.000
                                                      588.000
           ( iv )    Independent Living Programme
             The budget for subventions in favour of the housing of disabled
people was 1.260.000 in 1986 . The intention is to replace expensive
" one-off " direct grants by an activity less expensive but more comprehensive
in its content ( involving mobility and access as well as housing ) and
aiming at an effective dissemination of good experience at both technical
and political levels .
                                    ( 24 )
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 3 -
 The breakdown is :
        -   24 prizes to completed projects ,
            at 10.000                                    240.000
       -    Annual conférence , exhibition and
            publication                                  200.000
                                                         440.000
             ( v)    Non-governmental Organizations
               No very great increase in the number of eligible applications
of high priority is to be expected . The amount afforded to these
activities of European collaboration in 1986 was 875.000 ; grants range
from between 5.000 and 30.000 each . The proposal for 88-91 , per year, is :
       -   approx . 44 subventions , averaging
           15.000 each                                  660.000
             ( vi )  Handynet Project
       -   Costs of central coordination and
           preparation of new modules , as far
           as concerns social integration and
           and independent li ving                      788.000
       -   Cost of establishing gateways to
           other data bases                               55.000
                                                        843.000
           Total for 1988                                             2.981.000
           Allowing for inflation at 3,51 per year the cost for the
succeeding years would be 3.085.335 ( 1989), 3.193.322 ( 1990) and
3.305.088 ( 1991 ), giving a four-year total cost of 12.564.745 .
           The distribution   among the budget lines for 1988   will be as
follows :
                                  6450        6453     6401        Totals
                                            ( enga­
                                           gements )
(i )      Policy Development                          90.000       90.000
( ii )    Coordination and
          Documentation         360.000                           360.000
( iii )   Local Projects        447.000    141.000                588.000
( iv )    Independent
          Living                           440.000                440.000
(v)       NGOs                  540.000    120.000                660.000
( vi )    Handynet              388.000    400.000    55.000      843.000
                              1.735.000 1.101.000    145.000    2.981.000
                                    ( 25 )
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 4 -
6.  Financial implications of the action for intervention appropriations
    6.1 . Share for Community financing
          Study, service and coordination contracts , 100X Community
financing .
          Subventions to projects , seminars , study visits , etc . undertaken
by public or private bodies in Member States shared according to type of
action .
    6.2 . Method of financing
          If a merger between the present lines 6450-6451 -6453 is proposed,
it would be advantageous to separate the line 6453 in order to maintain
dissociated credits on that line .
7.  Needs for personnel
          Present personnel   :   1 A3, 1 A4-7, 2 B, 2 C
          The Commission will be assisted in the implementation of the
programme by specialized agencies and by the service of experts , the
cost of which will be met by means of the budget allowed for this
programme .
                                ( 26 )
 ---pagebreak---      COMBINED FINANCIAL NOTE - INTEGRATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE
                              ( Continued )
 C. EDUCATIONAL INTEGRATION PROGRAMME
 1.   Budaet Unes
            B 6300       B 6450          B 638        B 6401
 2.    Legal basis
            Resolution of the Council and Ministers of Education of
9.2.1976, comprising an action programme in the educational field
 ( O.J. C38 of 19.2.1976 ).
            Resolution of the Council of 21.12.1981 establishing an
action programme to promote the social integration of disabled people
 ( OJ C347 of 31.12.1981 ).
            Resolution of the Council of 1987 establishing an action programme
to promote the educational integration of disabled children and young
people .
3.    Classification
          Non-obligatory expendi ture .    Non-dissociated credits .
4.    Description of the Action
      4.1 . Object :
            Establishment of a Community action programme to promote the
educational integration of disabled children and young people .
      4.2 . Persons concerned :
            Disabled children and young people , their parents and families ;
their teachers and trainers at all levels ; inspectors and administrators
of the educational systems at national , regional and local levels ;
researchers in the field of education .
5.    Nature of expenditure and method of calculation
      5.1 . Nature of expenditure :
            Study contracts , and service contracts for the coordination of
a network of projects and for the establishment of data bases ; grants
for study visits ; seminars and expert meetings organized by outside
bodies ; secretarial , documentation and publication costs ; subventions
to external activities .
                                  ( 27 )
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 2 -
5.2 . Calculation
(a)    First year 1988
       ( 1 ) Study visits
              100 additional visits , special
              éducation, 700 per visit                         70.000
       ( 2 ) Network of local projects
              2.1 . Costs of coordination,
              animation , documentation , calcu¬
              lated as 1 / 6 of the costs of this
              category of the global programme
              for the disabled                      105.000
             2.2 . Spécifie actions :
             - one national conférence per year,
             Community contribution, 30.000
             - one seminar for project leaders ,
             30.000
             - 2 consultants , for 3 months , at
             3.000 Ecus per month - 18.000           78.000  183.000
      ( 3 ) Information Systems - Handynet / Eurydi ce
             3.1 . Establishment of a new Handynet
             module " Education " ( including
             studies )                               80.000
             3.2 . Establishment of gateways to
             other data bases                        50.000
             3.3 . Development of Eurydice
             services in this field                    p.m . 130.000
      ( A ) Spécifie Activities , New Technologies
             4.1 . Studies                           45.000
             4.2 . Subventions to outside
                   activities                        80.000
             4.3 . Meetings of experts organized
                   by the Commission                 55.000  180.000
                   TOTAL .                                   563.000
                                ( 28 )
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 3 -
           ( 5 ) Distribution              6300      6380      6450    6401
                 1 ) Study visits         70.000
                 2 ) Network of local
                     projects                               183.000
                 3 ) Information systems                     90.000   40.000
                 4 ) New Technologies     55.000   45.000    80.000
                                         125.000   45.000   353.000   40.000
          Development during the course of the   programme and
          total amount
          growth of 3.51 per year ( inflation ), giving :
                        1988                 563.000
                        1989                 582.000
                        1990                 603.100
                        1991                 624.200
          Total cost of programme , for
          the four years 1988-91           2.373.000
    Financial implications
    6.1 . Share of financing according to type of action
          Study contracts and service contracts , normally 100%, Community
financing ; shared expense for subventions and grants .
    6.2 . Method of financing
          Non-dissociated crédit .
7.  Personnel needs
          The Commission will be assisted in the implementation of the
programme by specialized agencies and by services of experts , the cost
of this being met by means of the budget allowed for this programme .
                                  ( 29 )
 ---pagebreak---                               Proposai for a
                             COUNCIL DECISION
establishing an action programme at Community Level to promote the vocat ional
rehabilitation and economic integration of people with disabilities .
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
    Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
    and in particular Article 128 thereof .
    Having regard to Council Decision 63 / 266/ EEC of 2 April 1963 laying down
   general principles for implementing a common vocational training policy
    ( 1 ), and in particular the tenth principle thereof ;
   Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ( 2 );
   Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ( 3 );
   Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ( 4 );
   Whereas the Tenth Principle set out in Decision 63 / 266 / EEC states that
   special measures may be taken in respect of special problems concerning
   specific sectors of activity or specific categories of persons ;
   Whereas people with disabilities have specific needs in the field of
   vocational training and are accordingly a specific category of persons
   for the purposes of that principle ;
   Whereas the Council Resolution of 21 January 1974 concerning a social
   action programme ( 5 ) provides for , among other things , the implementation
   of a programme for the vocational and social integration of handicapped
   persons ;
   Whereas the Council Resolution of 27 June 1974 ( 6 ) established an initial
   Community action programme for the vocational training of handicapped
   persons ;
   Whereas the European Parliament , in its Resolution of 11 March 1981 ( 7 ),
   stressed the need to promote at Community level the economic , social
   and vocational integration of disabled people ;
   ( 1 ) OJ N 0 63 , 20.4.1963 , p. 1338 / 63 .
   (2)
   ( 3)
   (4)
   ( 5 ) OJ N° C13 , 12.2.1974 , p. 1 .
   ( 6 ) OJ N° C80 , 9.7.1974 , p. 30 .
   ( 7 ) OJ N° C77 , 6.4.1981 , p. 27 .
                                    ( 30 )
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 2 -
 Whereas Council Recommendation 86 / 379 / EEC of 24 July 1986 on the
 employment of disabled people in the Community ( 8) recognizes that disabled
 people have the same right as all other workers to equal opportunity
 in training and employment , and that special measures are needed at
 Community and national levels if these are to be achieved;
 Whereas the Council in its Resolution of 22 December 1986 on an action
 programme on employment growth ( 9 ) called for special provisions in
 training for the disadvantaged and disabled ;
 Whereas the present action programme is desicned to complement actions
taken at national level , in particular by ensuring coordination and
exchanges of experience between those actions ;
Whereas the activities covered by the present action programme fall
outside the scope of the European Social Fund but can nevertheless provide
a valuable complement to activities eligible for support from that Fund
 in respect of vocational rehabilitation and training of disabled people ;
Whereas the present programme and the programme adopted by [ Council
Decision .           ( 10 ) to promote the social integration and independent
living of people with disabilities are the two halves of a single Commu¬
nity action programme designed to build upon the previous Community actions
in favour of disabled people ;
Whereas this action programme as a whole constitutes a positive response
at Community level to the needs , aspirations and potential of the thirty
million and more disabled people in the European Community, in the form
of actions which cover all the services relevant to full integration and
independent living ;
Whereas the programme will promote awareness of the important contribution
which new technology can make to improving the lives of the disabled , in
particular their vocational opportunities ; whereas the programme will
thereby also serve in developing the market for the relevant products of
new technology , in line with the Commission 's White Paper on the Internal
Market ;
Whereas both parts of the integrated action programme are designed to
ensure that the Community will be able to continue to contribute to the
World Action Programme established by the United Nations in this field ,
( 8 ) 0J N° L 225 , 12.8.1986 , p. 43 .
( 9) 0J N° C 340 , 31.12.1986 , p. 2 .
( 10 )
                               ( 31 )
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 3 -
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS :
    Article 1
    The Community programme of action annexed to this Decision is hereby
    adopted for the period 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1991 .
   Article 2
    For the purposes of thi s programme , the term 'disabled people' comprises
   all those with long-term disabilities ( of whatever severity ) resulting
   from physical , mental or psychological impairments .
   Article 3
   The objectives of the action programme shall be as follows :
   a ) To establish and develop a common Community approach to the problems
       of vocational rehabilitation and economic integration by means of
       the preparation of policy guidelines which concern practical issues
       and which are based on the best experience in Member States ;
   b ) To coordinate and implement at Community level a number of activities
       aimed at fostering innovation , facilitating exchange of experience
       and encouraging the dissemination of good practice ; these activities
       shall involve the direct participation of official experts , researchers ,
       professionals working directly in the field , organizations of the social
       partners , and disabled people , their families and their representatives ;
   c ) To establish a system, using new information technologies , for the
       collection , updating and exchange of information concerning vocational
       rehabilitation and economic integration ; this system shall operate
       at Community level and shall be based on the developing information
       systems within Member States ;
  d ) To explore means for applying the resources of the European Community
       in support of national efforts to promote the vocational rehabilitation
       and employment of disabled people by means of new technolgies ;
  e ) To continue and where necessary extend Community support to the European
       cooperation of non-governmental organisations in this field ;
  f ) To give particular attention to the vocational needs of disabled
       women and of women with special responsibilities in caring for disabled
       children or adults in the home , and ensure close coordination in this
       regard with the Community medium-term programme on equality of oppor¬
       tunity for women ;
                                 ( 32 )
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 4 -
  g ) To develop, in the field of vocational training , activities of exchange
       and information which fall outside the scope of the European Social
       Fund but which can make a useful contribution to the vocational reha¬
       bilitation of disabled people ;
  h ) To ensure close and continuing coordination between this action pro¬
       gramme and the actions designed to promote the educational integration
       of disabled children and young people in the normal education system ;
      and , in particular , to coordinate measures designed to promote the
      participation of young disabled people in new approaches ( such as linked
      work and training ) which are aimed to adapt education and training to
      new employment needs ;
 i ) To implement the policy priorities which have been set out in
      the Council Recommendation on Employment of Disabled People adopted
      on 24 July 1986 .
 Artic le 4
The Commission shall implement the programme in combination with the
programme to promote the social integration and independent living of
people with disabilities so as to form a single combined programme for
the period from 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1991 .
Article 5
 ( 1 ) In performing this task , the Commission shall be assisted by an advi ¬
        sory Committee , composed of thirty-five members , as follows :
        ( a ) two representatives per Member State , appointed by the Commission
              on the basis of proposals from the Member State concerned
        ( b ) nine representatives of disabled people or of their families ,
              appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from
              organizations invited by the Commission to make proposals for
              that purpose
        ( c ) one representative of organizations representing employers and
              one of organizations representing employees, each to be appointed
              by the Commission on the basis of proposals from organizations
              representing those interests at Community level .
        Members may be assisted by experts or advisers .
( 2 ) The Committee shall be chaired by a representative of the Commission .
        The secretariat of the Committee shall be provided by the Commission .
( 3 ) The Commission may consult the Committee on all questions concerning
       the implémentation of the programme .
                                      ( 33 )
 ---pagebreak--- ( 4 ) The Committee 's discussions shall not be followed by a vote , but any
      member of the Committee may require that his or her views be entered
      in the minutes .
( 5 ) The Committee 's deliberations shall be confidential .
      It shall adopt its own rules of procedure .
( 6 ) The Committee shall also assist the Commission in the implementation
      of the action programme to promote the social integration and inde ¬
      pendent living of disabled people .
Article 6
The Commission shall report to the Council on the implementation and
results of the    action programme before the end of 1991 .
Done at Brussels  /
                                                     For the Council
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 6 -                               ANNEX
         ' SPECIFIC ACTIONS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMISSION
            IN THE EXECUTION OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMME
                 TO PROMOTE THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
           AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
                               ( 1988 - 1991 )
1 . This action programme will be undertaken by the Commission in consultation
    with the Member States , the associations of disabled people and their
    families , the social partners , and the professional and voluntary bodies
    working in the field of disability .
2 . The activities undertaken within this programme will be coordinated by
    the Commission with those comprising the programme to promote the social
    integration and independent -living of people with disabilities
    in order to constitute a single combined action programme .
3 . For the duration of the programme 1988-91 , the following measures may
    be implemented at Community level :
    a ) Community Network of Rehabilitation Centres
        The restructuring and extension of the present Network of Rehabilitation
        Centres established as a part of the initial action programme on voca ¬
        tional rehabilitation adopted by the Council Resolution of 1974 , so as
        to make sure that its membership represents the full range of disabi ¬
        lities , including those whose origin is sensory or psychological ,
        and that there is , as far as possible , a balance in the disabilities
        represented from each Member State .
        Centres which are Members of the Network are to maintain links with
        a number of other centres forming an " outer network” .
        Centres may be appointed to the Network by the Commission on the basis
        of proposals from Member States . Centres will be represented at Network
        meetings by full-time rehabilitation professionals .
        The programme of activities will consist of group study visits , training
        sessions , seminars and conferences . The Network will prepare and
        publish information , reports and professional guidelines for wide
        distribution .
        The Community contribution to the operations of the Network is estimated
        at 385.000 Ecus in 1988 . Approved Community-level activities of the Network
        may be supported by the Commission at the rate of 100 % .
                                                                     mm ! • • a
                                  ( 35 )
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 7 -
b ) Networks of Local Projects
    The operation of a network of nationally identified local projects
    concerned with employment and vocational training , the projects being
    chosen by the Commission on the basis of proposals from Member States .
    The network activities organized by the Commission may include support
    for European conferences ( in cooperation with national authorities );
    information , documentation and advice ; study visits ; and seminars for
    project leaders .
    The Community contribution to the operations of this local project
    network is estimated at 141.000 Ecus in 1988 . Community support for
    European conferences will not exceed 30 % of total costs up to a
    maximum of 25.000 Ecus . Other Community-level activities of the kinds
    described in the preceding paragraph    may be supported by the Commission
    at the rate of 100 % .
c ) Subsidies to outside activities of European coopération
    Operation of an annual scheme of grants to support activities of
    European cooperation undertaken by independent bodies , in particular
    associations of or for disabled people , and concerning vocational
    rehabilitation or employment . Though the percentage of the Community 's
    grant will not normally exceed 50 % of the cost of the activity , higher
    percentage grants may be given in special circumstances , in particular
    grants to associations which are being or have recently been formed
    for the first time at European level . Grants may contribute to the
    cost of preparation and of dissemination of results as . well as to the
    events themselves .
    The Community contribution to these activities is estimated at 240.000
    Ecus in 1988 .
d ) The Handynet Project
    Coordination and further development of the Handynet Project ( European
    Community computerized information system on disability questions ), in
    relation to vocational rehabilitation and employment , including the
    establishment of Handynet modules and gateways to other data bases in
    this field .
    The cost of coordinating and developing these elements of Handynet is
    estimated at 422.000 Ecus in 1988 .   The Commission may meet the full
    expenses of those activities which ensure the European dimension of
    the project , and , as the project proceeds and witnin the limits of
    its budgetary possibilities , may contribute to other participatory
    costs .
                                                                   • •/■ • *
                                  ( 36 )
 ---pagebreak--- e ) Coordination of Exchange Activities and Documentation Service
    Establishment of a group of experts responsible for assisting the
    Commission in the coordination , animation and evaluation of the
    exchange activities described above , and for the creation and opera¬
    tion of a documentation service for the benefit of the partners in
    these activities . This unit will also be undertaking similar tasks
    in relation to the social integration and independent living programme .
    The cost of operating this expert unit , as far as concerns vocational
    rehabilitation and employment , is estimated at 260.000 Ecus in 1988,
    and the Community may contribute up to 100 % of the cost of this activity .
f ) Préparation of policy proposais
    The Commission may establish the studies and organize the seminars
    necessary to form the basis of proposals or provide essential technical
    support to operations , in the field of vocational training and
    employment .
    The cost of studies and seminars to be undertaken in 1988 as a basis
    for proposals is estimated at 40.000 Ecus , with the Commission under¬
    taking the full cost .
                                  ( 37 )
 ---pagebreak---                             Proposai    for a
                            COUNCIL DECISION
adopting an action programme at Community level to promote the
social integration and independent living of people with
disabi lities
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
     Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
     Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof ;
     Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ( 1 );
     Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2 );
     Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ( 3 )
     Whereas the objectives of the Community include the accelerated
     raising of the standard of living of its citizens ;
    Whereas the present action programme is designed to contribute to
    that obective through the implementation of a number of specific
    actions to promote the social integration and independent living
    of people with disabilities ;
    Whereas the Council Resolution of 21 January 1974 concerning a
    social action programme (4 ) provides for , inter alia , the
    implementation of a programme for the vocational and social inte¬
    gration of handicapped persons ;
    Whereas the Council Resolution of 27 June 1974 ( 5 ) establishing an
    initial Community action programme for the vocational training of
    handicapped persons defines rehabilitation as "a whole set of
    measures aimed at establishing and maintaining the most satisfac ¬
    tory relation possible between the individual and his environment ";
    Whereas the Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of
    the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council of
    21 December 1981 ( 6 ) established a first action programme to
    promote the social integration of disabled people which is now due
    for prolongation and development ;
    Whereas the European Parliament , in its Resolution of 11 March 1981
    ( 7 ), stressed the need to promote at Community level the economic ,
    social and vocational integration of disabled people ;
    (1 )
    (2 )
    (3 )
    (4 ) OJ N° C13, 12.2.1974 , p. 1 .
    (5 ) OJ N° C80 , 9.7.1974 , p. 30 .
    (6)    OJ N° C347 , 31.12.1981 , p. 1 .
    (7)    OJ N° C77 , 6.4.1981 , p. 27 .
                                    ( 38 )
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 2 -
 Whereas the Guideline Framework for Positive Action which is
annexed to Council Recommendation 86 / 379/ EEC of 24 July 1986 on
the employment of disabled people in the Community ( 8 )
 stresses the importance of " ensuring that disabled people live
 in an environment which makes it possible for them to benefit
from further education and training and to make their full
contribution to the economy";
Whereas in the field of disability, training and employment measures
will be ineffective unless they are complemented by measures to
ensure the necessary physical , personal and financial supports to
independent living;
Whereas the present action programme and the programme adopted by
CCouncil Decision , .I ( 9 ) to promote thè
vocational rehabilitation and economic integration of people with
disabilities are the two halves of a single Community action
programme designed to build upon the previous Community actions
in favour of disabled people ;
Whereas this action programme as a whole constitutes a positive
response at Community level to the needs , aspirations and
potential of the thirty million and more disabled people in the
European Community, in the form of actions which cover all the
services relevant to full integration and independent living ;
Whereas both parts of the integrated action programme are designed
to ensure that the Community will be able to continue to contribute
to the World Action Programme established by the United Nations in
this field;
Whereas the Treaty has not provided the necessary specific powers ,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS :
Article 1
The Community programme of action annexed to this Decision is
hereby adopted for the period 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1991 .
Article 2
For the purposes of this programme , the term "disabled people "
comprises all those with long-term disabilities (of whatever severity )
resulting from physical , mental or psychological impairments .
( 8 ) OJ N° L225 of 12.08.1986 , p. 43
(9)
                                 ( 39 )
   /
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 3 -
 Artide 3
 The objectives of the action programme shall be as follows :
 a ) To establish and develop a common Community approach to the
      problems of social integration and independent living by
      means of the preparation of policy guidelines which concern
      practical issues and which are based on the best experience
      in Member States ;
 b ) To coordinate and implement at Community level a number of
      activities aimed at fostering innovation , facilitating
      exchange of experience and encouraging the dissemination of
      good practice ; these activities shall involve the direct
     participation of official experts , researchers , professionals
      working directly in the field , organizations of the social
     partners , and disabled people , their families and their
      representatives ; .
c ) To establish a system, using new information technologies ,
     for the collection, updating and exchange of information
     concerning social integration and independent living;
     this system shall operate at Community level and shall be
     based on the developing information systems within Member
     States ;
d ) To explore means for applying the resources of the European
     Community in support of national efforts to promote the
     social integration and independent living of disabled people
     by means of new technologies ;
e ) To continue and where necessary extend Community support to
     the European cooperation of non-governmental organizations
     in this field ;
f ) To give     particular attention to promoting the social
     integration and independent living of disabled women and of
     women with special responsibilities in caring for disabled
     children or adults in the home , and ensure close coordination
     in this regard with the Community medium term programme on
     equality of opportunity for women ;
g ) To ensure close and continuing coordination between this
     action programme and the actions designed to promote the
     educational integration of disabled children and young people
     in the normal education system .
h ) To implement     the policy priorities in the disability field
     which have been set out in the 1981 Resolution on Social
     Integration .
                               ( 40 )
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 4 -
Artide 4
The Commission shall implement the programme in combination with the
programme to promote the vocational rehabilitation and economic
integration of people with disabilities , so as to form a single action
programme for the period from 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1991 .
Article 5
( 1 ) In performing this task , the Commission shall be assisted by an
       advisory Committee , composed of thirty-five members , as follows :
       ( a ) two representatives per Member State , appointed by the
             Commission on the basis of proposals from the Member State
             concerned
       ( b ) nine representatives of disabled people or of their families ,
             appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from
             organizations invited by the Commission to make proposals
             for that purpose
       ( c ) one representative of organizations representing employers ,
             and one of organizations representing employees , each to be
             appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from
             organizations representing those interests at Community level .
       Members may be assisted by experts or advisers .
 ( 2 ) The Committee shall be chaired by a representative of the
       Commission .
       The secretariat of the Committee shall be provided by the
       Commission .
( 3 ) The Commission may consult the Committee on all questions
       concerning the implementation of the programme .
( 4 ) The Committee 's discussions shall not be followed by a vote , but
       any member of the Committee may require that his or her views be
       entered in the minutes .
( 5 ) The Committee 's deliberations shall be confidential .
       It shall adopt its own rules of procedure .
( 6 ) The      Committee shall also assist the Commission in the implementation
       of the action programme to promote the vocational rehabilitation and
       economic integration of disabled people .
Article 6
The Commission shall report to the Council on the implementation and
results of the action programme before the end of 1991 .
Done at Brussels ,                                          For the Council
                                ( 41 )
 ---pagebreak---                                         5                               ANNEX
           SPECIFIC ACTIONS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMISSION
           IN THE EXECUTION OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION      PROGRAMME
                    TO PROMOTE THE SOCIAL INTEGRATION
          AND INDEPENDENT LIVING OF PEOPLE       WITH DISABILITIES
                                 ( 1988-1991 )
1 . This action programme will be undertaken by the Commission in
    consultation with the Member States , the associations of
    disabled people and their families , the social partners , and
    the professional and voluntary bodies working in the field of
    disabi lity .
2 . The activities undertaken within this programme will be
    coordinated by the Commission with those comprising the pro ¬
    gramme to promote the vocational rehabilitation and economic
    integration of people with disabilities in order to constitute
    a single combined action programme throughout the duration of
    the two .
3 . For the duration of the programme 1988-1991 , the following
    measures may be implemented at Community level :
    a ) Networks of Local Projects
        The operation of two networks of nationally identified
         local projects focusing respectively on the coordination of
        services to the disabled and independant living , the projects
        being chosen by the Commission on the basis of proposals
        from Member States .
        The network activities organized by the Commission may
        include support for European conferences ( in cooperation with
        national authorities ); information , documentation and advice ;
        study visits ; and seminars for project leaders . In addition ,
        The Commission may afford financial support to the coordination
        costs of projects in the network concerned with the coordina ¬
        tion of services .
        The Community contribution to the operations of these two
        local project networks is estimated at 588.000 Ecus in 1988 .
        Community support for European conferences will not exceed
        30 % of total costs up to a maximum of 25.000 Ecus . Other
        Communi t y- Leve l activities ( of the kinds described in the
        preceding paragraph ) may be supported by the Commission at
        the rate of 100 X. Community contributions to actual coordina ¬
        tion costs within certain projects will not exceed 50 % of such
        costs , and will be subject to a maximum of 20.000 Ecus per
        project per year ; of the non-Community contribution to such
        coordination costs in each project , at least 50 X should be
        supplied by public aid .
                                     ( A2 )
 ---pagebreak---                                 -   6-
 b ) Special Action on Independent Living
      Establishment of a special programme to promote independent
      living , covering : mobility and transport ; access to public
      buildings and facilities ( including cultural and leisure
      facilities ); and housing, including material and personal
      support to living in independent accommodation . Each year
     the Commission may offer a number of awards to completed
     projects recommended by Member States . Each year also , in
     cooperation with the national authorities of a Member State ,
     the Commission may organize a conference and exhibition , at
     which award-winning projects will be presented . The proceedings
     of these conferences will be published in the Community
     languages .
     The Community contribution to this special programme is
     estimated at 440.000 Ecus in 1988 . Awards will not exceed
     15.000 Ecus per project . The Commission may contribute
     80 X of the cost of the conferences , and 100 X of the cost
     of publication .
c ) Subsidies to outside activities of European coopération
     Operation of an annual scheme of grants to support activities
     of European cooperation undertaken by independent bodies , in
     particular associations of or for disabled people ,and concer¬
     ning social integration or independent living . Though the
     percentage of the Community 's grant will not normally exceed
     50 X of the cost of the activity, higher percentage grants may
     be given in special circumstances , in particular grants to
     associations which are being or have recently been formed for
     the first time at European level .
     Grants may contribute to the cost of preparation and of
     dissemination of results as well as to the events themselves .
     The Community contribution to these activities is estimated at
     660.000 Ecus in 1988 .
d ) The Handynet Project
     Coordination          and           further        development
     of    the       Handynet       Project      ( European   Community
     computerized information system on disability questions ).         The
     Commission may complete and update the first module of Handynet ,
     " Handyaids ", consisting of a European multilingual data base
     comprising an inventory of technical aids and a directory of
     public and private bodies concerned with all processes in the
     production and delivery of aids . In addition, the Commission may
     make progress in developing other modules of Handynet , and in
     establishing gateways to other date bases , concerned with social
     integration and independent living .
    The cost of coordinating and developing those elements of Handynet
     is estimated at 843.000 Ecus in 1988 . The Commission may meet the
     full expenses of those activities which ensure the European
     dimension of the project , and, as the project proceeds and within the
     limits of its budgetary possibilities , may contribute to other
    participatory costs , which could include transmission costs .
                                  ( 43 )
 ---pagebreak---                                 _ 7 _
e ) Coordination of Exchange Activities and Documentation Service
    Establishment of a group of experts responsible for assisting the
    Commission in the coordination , animation and evaluation of all
    the exchange activities described above , and for the creation and
    operation of a documentation service for the benefit of all the
    partners in the various activities . This unit will also be
    undertaking similar tasks in relation to the vocational rehabili ¬
    tation and economic integration programme .
    The cost of operating this expert unit , as far as concerns social
    integration and independent living ,       is estimated at 390.000
    Ecus in 1988 , and the Community may contribute up to 100 % of
    the activity .
f ) Préparation of policy proposais
    The Commission may establish the studies and organize the seminars
    necessary to form the basis of proposals or provide essential
    technical support to operations , in the field of social integra ¬
    tion and independent living .
    The cost of studies and seminars to be undertaken in 1988 as a
    basis for proposals is estimated at 90.000 Ecus , with the
    Commission undertaking the full cost .
                                ( A4 )
 ---pagebreak---                          1
PART    II
Report on the implementation of the first action programme to promote
the social integration of disabled people 1983-7 .
   1 . The aim of the action programme has been both to influence
national policies affecting disabled people and to promote
technical improvements by means of a substantial set of European
activities of development , cooperation and exchange involving
local authorities , professionals and associations of disabled
people . For these purposes , the programme has been structured
in three parts :
   a)   Policy : préparation of Commission proposais establishing
        guidelines for national policy on key issues affecting
         integration .
   b)    Technical Cooperation : a wide range of actions to
        promote and support innovation , the exchange of experience
        and the dissemination of good practice .
   c)    Information :  the establishment of a Community system for
        the collection and distribution of information and
        documentation on disability questions .
   The elements have proved interdependent : technical cooperation ,
for example , contributes data and ideas to policy initiatives
and is itself enhanced by improvements in the flow of information .
   This Report deals with the three elements in turn and concludes
with some general considerations .
        A.   POLICY INITIATIVES
(i )     Employment
   2.    In its 1981 Communication to the Council on Social
Integration ( 1 ) the Commission foresaw 'a series of studies and
conferences to investigate selected policy issues ... with a
view to formulating Community-level guidelines for policy
development in Member States' . The three issues which the
Commission has so far selected for treatment in this way are
employment , the physical environment and financial benefits .
The Commission prepares its proposals by means of          European
level policy studies covering all the principal problems ,
measures and trends in the domain concerned and a very limited
number of workshop - conferences involving officials from
ministeries , experts , practising professionals and representatives
of disabled people .
(1)    OJ C347 / 17 of 31.12.81 , see paragraph 14 ( iii )
                       < 45 )
 ---pagebreak---                      -   2 -
      3.  The Commission 's first policy proposal concerning the
  Employment of Disabled People in the European Community was
  submitted to the Council on 24 January 1986 .    It consisted
  of a draft Recommendation to which was closely linked a Model
  Code of Positive Action . This made it possible for the
  Commission , in the Model Code , to achieve reasonably comprehensive
  coverage of the supportive and environmental issues which have
  to be faced if , for disabled people , employment measures are
 to succeed , enabling the relatively brief Recommendation itself
 to concentrate on principles and fundamental measures to eliminate
 negative , and promote positive , discrimination .
      4. The Commission had decided that the needs both to make
  relatively quick headway and to include a broad range of
 measures implied that a draft Recommendation was a better
 choice than a draft Directive - particularly as a first step ,
 since the putting forward of a Directive or Directives on
 specific issues at some later stage always remained possible .
 This was not the view of the European Parliament , whose
 Resolution ( 1 ) in response to the Commission 's proposals
 welcomed them in general but expressed disappointment that a
 Directive had not been chosen . The Parliament moreover adopted
 two amendments to the Recommendation . In the first , the
 Parliament called for inclusion of a uniform employment quota
of 5% disabled people ; the Commission 's draft , while recommending
a quota system , had not specified a percentage . In the second ,
the Parliament called for a report on implementation of the
 Recommendation after two years ( instead of the three years
 indicated in the Commission 's draft ) and requested the Commission
to prepare a Directive if , after the two year period , effective
quota systems had not been introduced in Member States .
     5.  The Commission accepted the Parliament 's amendments and
submitted them to the Council which however in the text of the
Recommendation which it finally adopted (2 ) incorporated only
the proposal for a report after two years , rejecting the other
points . Furthermore , it substantially reduced the Commission 's
original proposal concerning quotas and weakened the link
between the Model Code ( now called a Framework ) and the
Recommendation itself .
     6.  The Commission believes that one effect of this has been
to focus attention too strongly on the problem of the quota -
which in the Commission 's view is only one of a set of desirable
measures , important in some Member States , cons iderably less so
 ( and likely to remain so ) in others . More serious , in the
Commission 's view , is the weakening of the link between the
Recommendation and the Code , since this appears to reflect an
 ( 1 ) O.J. C148 of 16.6.86 p.97
( 2 ) o.J. L225 of 12.8.86 p.43
                       ( 46 )
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 3 -
 unwillingness in Member States to take the problems of coordination
 seriously or to face up to the fact that employment measures for
 disabled people will not work unless an appropriate living environment
 is assured .
 7 . Nonetheless the Recommendation is an important step forward .
 While the Community has adopted before this two Resolutions
establishing action programmes concerining disability , the Employment
 Recommendation is its first true policy instrument devoted to this
 field . The Commission is convinced that its lack of legal force
will be more than counterbalanced by its range and relevance , and
that in many practical situations where decisions are made in Member
States concerning the launching of projects , the development of
services or the evaluation of progress , the Recommendation will be
seen and used as an authentic statement of European policy .
     ( ii ) The Physical Environment
8 . The Commission has decided to include in its second policy
initiative , concerned with the physical environment , all the chief
issues which affect mobility , access and housing . The domain is a
complex one , involving much technical detail , and therefore a
relatively long period has had to be devoted to preparatory work .
Mobility includes movement in the street with motor or sensory
impairments , as well as daily and longer-distance transport ( access
to stations and terminals ; adaptation of public vehicles ; door-to-
door transport systems ; adaptation , licensing and parking of private
cars ; hotel accommodation ). Access problems are important with respect
to all sets of buildings and facilities which , whether under public
or private responsibility , are available to the public , as well as
work places ( particularly in the office sector ) - administrative ,
commercial , educational , cultural , sporting centres and facilities
must all be included . Housing for disabled people must be seen in
the context of general schemes to create new or adapt old housing ,
if 'ghetto' solutions are to be avoided ; material , personnel and
information supports to independent living must not be neglected .
Finally , the Commission has had to study and prepare its response to
the idea of a European Card for Disabled People , which has aroused
interest in the European Parliament and elsewhere .
9 . The Commission has completed its collection of data concerning
both mobility and transport , on access , and on housing and has
organised consultation workshops on the two first sub-themes ; as
far as concerns the former , the collaboration of the Working Party
on Transport for the Disabled of the European Conference of Transport
Ministers has been of considerable value .    Further development of
this whole sector is explained in Part I of this Communication .
                                ( 47 )
 ---pagebreak---                           - A -
  ( iii )    Financial benefits and the incomes of disabled people
 10 .      This third theme is no less complex than the second and
 requires an equally substantial period of preparation . The
 Commission has enlarged its knowledge of the detailed situation
 in Member States by means of a questionnaire to which the
 competent ministries have replied , and is currently filling
 the gaps in its knowledge by means of a study contract . Active
 preparation and presentation of proposals will therefore take
 place within the second action programme , and have been indi ¬
cated in Part I above .
           B.   TECHNICAL COOPERATION
 Ci )     The District Projects
     11 . In the 1981 Resolution , the Council invited the Commission
 'within the limits of the financial resources available under the
 Social Fund , to set up , in close cooperation with the Member
 States , a network of selected development actions to promote
model coordination of the actions undertaken , especially at local
 level . This network will operate for four years beginning early
in 1983 ! ( 1 )       Accordingly the Commission , with the help of the
Community Liaison Group on Disability established criteria for
the selection of local coordination projects to be known as
District Projects . Sixteen such projects were established in
the then ten Member States , one in Greece , Denmark , Ireland and
Luxembourg and two in each of the other Member States . Two
projects in Spain and one in Portugal have since been associated
with the network .
     12 . In each project a 'core' vocational training activity for
disabled people has been established and this , together with
general coordination initiatives which are the hallmark of the
District Projects , have received grants from the European Social
Fund , for the first three years as demonstration projects under
the previous regulation and for the fourth year as specific
innovatory projects under the current one . The time required
for selection , preparation and financing of the projects meant
that operations did not in fact start until late in 1983, so
that the network will continue until near the end of 1987 .
    13 . The intervention of the Social Fund combined with matching
funds from public sources in the Member States have made it
possible for the Districts to set up Project Teams composed
of full - or part-time professional workers with the task of
coordinating local efforts , establishing new cooperations
between the statutory services , the voluntary associations and
the social partners , and mobilizing local human and material
resources in order to promote more effective integration in
favour of as many disabled persons as possible . At the same
(1)      OJ C347 / 2 , Section II
                         ( 48 )
 ---pagebreak---                 - 5 -
 time local advisory committees , consisting typically of
 representatives of local authorities , of the social partners ,
 and of associations of or for disabled people , have been
 established in order to oversee and support the work of
 the project teams , and evaluators have been appointed at local
 and national levels .
   14 . At the Community level the resources of the social
 integration action programme have been used to provide a number
of networking services . The Commission has established a small
team of experts , known as the Interact Team , to ensure central
coordination , animation and evaluation . By means of frequent
visits to projects Interact has been able to afford to project
teams advice , encouragement , contacts and technical information ,
while at the same time keeping the Commission informed of events
in the Districts themselves . Interact has also taken responsi ¬
bility for the organization of a regular series of separate crcombined
seminars for project leaders and evaluators , and for information
experts , as well as one major annual conference bringing
several members of each project team together with evaluators
and officials from the Liaison Group . Since 1985 the intensity
of the European exchange has been greatly increased by the set ¬
ting up of a Study Visit Programme , also coordinated by Interact ,
which enables groups from one District to visit activities of
particular interest in another . Another important vehicle of
exchange is the Newsletter, 10.000 copies of which are produced
by Interact three times a year in all the Community languages
including those now of the two newer Member States .
   15 . While it is certain that this concerted effort at Community
level has greatly enriched the lives of the projects - as well as
affording the Commission valuable information about " grassroots "
problems and how they may be solved - yet the whole endeavour
must evidently be judged by the progress which has been made in
each District , basically by means of local effort albeit supported
and encouraged from outside . Since the projects will continue
until near the end of 1987 a final report of their achievement
will not be available until mid-1988; moreover one of the
criteria of ultimate success will be the extent to which activities
stimulated by participation in the network will have survived
for some period after the external funding has ceased . Nonetheless
some tentative conclusions can already be drawn :
        Although , perhaps inevitably , some projects have tended to
concentrate on a certain range of disabilities or a limited number
of services , all projects have made progress towards the wider
conception of coordination which was originally envisaged and
some have reached the level of being impressive models of achieve¬
ment in this respect .
        In Districts where the active participation of disabled
people themselves in the project has been a prominent feature
its effect has been extremely favourable ; it must be said ,
however , that progress in this direction has not been rapid or
easy in all local situations .
        There has , during the life of the projects , been an
encouraging increase in active concern for the promotion of
                  ( 49 )
 ---pagebreak---                             - 6 -
 open employment for disabled people , focused sometimes on new techno¬
  logies , combined at other times with imaginative housing or transport
 projects . It is intended to give prominence to this aspect in the
 final report of the projects to be delivered in 1988 .
     16 . Final reporting of the District Project Programme at Community
  level will be completed early in 1988 . It will consist of one general
 report for wide dissemination and six specific reports on issue of
 priority concern which the District Projects have addressed .
 ( ii )   The Network of Rehabilitation Centres
    17 . The 1981 Council Resolution invited the Commission to pursue
 its efforts by ( inter alia ) 'further developing activity at Community
 level based on the network of rehabilitation centres ... and to
 restructure the network , taking into consideration the institutions
 and associations that are especially well-placed to carry out the
 tasks of the network so that all such institutions and associations
 are included in the information issued by the network and can benefit
 from the outcome of the work' . It was not evidently the wish of the
 Council that there should be a radical change in the organization of
the intensive professional cooperation undertaken since 1975 by the
thirty or so centres selected to be members of the network , but
 rather that more effective means should be found for sharing the
experience and disseminating its results .
    18 . The Commission , with the full cooperation of the network
members themselves , has responded by establishing an outer network of
rehabilitation centres to which the network members are responsible
for the sending out of information and for feedback ; the outer
network now comprises the great majority of establishments in the
European Community specializing in the vocational training of those
with physical or mental handicaps . At the same time , the Commission
has established a permanent Information Group in the network which ,
as well as producing and updating profiles of the network centres
and distributing guidelines for good practice produced by network
working parties , is responsible for all stages of the production
in three languages of a quarterly Network Journal which is distributed
in 2000 copies throughout and beyond the outer network .
    19 . At the same time the Commission has made resources available
which have enabled a considerable increase in the network 's fundamental
programme of study visits , reciprocal training courses and seminars .
Active participation in this programme of professionals from outer
network centres has been encouraged wherever possible , and the network
has been enabled        to contribute directly to the development of
Community policies by means of working party reports , participation
in multi-representative workshops and production of a study report
on the means for adapting vocational rehabilitation in the light of
changing employment realities . Special resources have also been
devoted to ensuring the full integration of Greek rehabilitation
centres in every aspect of the network 's activity , and Portuguese
and Spanish centres had been selected to join the network before
the end of the year of accession .
                            < 50 )
 ---pagebreak---                                - 7 -
     20 .  The Commission has taken the view that the developments
 just described have constituted the right priorities for the
 progress of the network during the second phase of its life .
 In the next phase , yet further steps in the direction of
 dissemination will be taken, and more attention will be given
 to those categories of disability ( notably of a sensory or
 psychiatric character ) which are not particularly wetl served
by the network as it is at present constituted .     About the
value of the network 's overall achievement and its future
potential the Commission has no doubts : the centres are
offering in their own countries vocational rehabilitation
of the highest quality and are models for the encouragement
of good practice and innovation; a substantial contribution
to the attainment and development of these standards is
afforded by the programme of European exchange which would
not be possible without Community support .
 ( iii )  The programme of housing projects
    21 .  The 1981 Council Resolution invited the Commission to con¬
tinue " to promote pilot projects on the housing of handicapped
persons in order to identify those experiences which are worthy
of Community application ". The Commission has therefore not only
continued the scheme initiated in 1976 for the award of grants to
innovatory housing projects at local level but has proceeded to
abstract the best of this experience in order to support well -
founded policy development , notably by arranging for the prepara ¬
tion of a set of case studies of good practice covering a range
of different needs and approaches . In particular this experience
will be used as one of the main foundations of the housing element
in the Commission 's 1987 policy initiative on the physical environ¬
ment described in paragraphs 8 and 9 above . By this means it is
intended to update the standards of accessibility adopted by the
Counci of Europe in 1977 ( 1 ) as well as overcome the problems which
have been experienced in monitoring and enforcing them .
    22 . Returning to the scheme of grants to housing projects itself ,
it can be said that , within its own terms , it has been extremely
successful inspite of the very modest resources available . At one
time it appeared that demand for grants might be declining , but
this did not in the end happen . Since 1976 a total of 147 projects
have been subvented , of which 19 received grants in 1985 and 20 in
1986 .    Beneficiaries in 1985 were to be found in seven Member States
and in 8 in 1986 ; both public sector and private promoters were in¬
volved, and a wide range of disabilities was represented . Inspite
of the Commission 's financial limitations ( grants can rarely exceed
100.000 ecus , or 15% of project budgets ) the Commission can subject
applications to careful scrutiny and is confident that the quality
of projects subvented is generally high . It is also clear that
the projects serve the aims intended - to allow potentially active
disabled people , whatever the cause of their disability and whether
actually employed or not , to live as independent lives as possible
in the open community . It is evident that this aim
( 1 ) Communication from the Commission to the Council - Rehabilitation of
       Handicapped Persons - Elimination of Architectural Barriers to their
       Mobility C0M(75 ) 432 of 25.7.75 .
                                 ( 51 )
 ---pagebreak---                         -   8 -
  corresponds both to the widespread deinstitutionalisation measures
  in Member States and to the policy of social integration to which
 the European Community adheres . In this context the eligibility
 for support of advisory , information and resource centres concern¬
  ing independent living , as well as of specific construction or
 adaptation projects , is a great advantage of the scheme .
     23 . The Commission has on the other hand identified two problems
 affecting the scheme as it stands . In the first place , while the
 freedom of local promoters to submit their projects directly to the
 Commission has been convenient in obvious ways , it has had the effect
 of keeping national ministries more or less in ignorance of what
 is going on . In consequence , those in Member States most able to do
 so have not had the opportunity to make available the results of
 good practice to would-be promoters of projects , or apply them to
 the development of national policy . Secondly , against the modest
 scale of the Community funds available must be set the problem of
 the demands which the Commission receives , and cannot respond to ,
 to support projects to promote other aspects of independent living
 than housing - transport schemes for example or projects to improve
the accessibility of public facilities .        It would be logical for the
 Commission to extend the range of its activities to cover the wider
definition of the physical environment of disabled people on which
 it is basing its work at policy level . The solution to these problems
which the Commission proposes for the second action programme is set
out in Part I      above .
 ( iv )   Relations with Non-governmental Organizations ( NGOs )
    24 . In its 1981 Communication on social integration , the Commission
declared its intention to 'support .... initiatives to enable regular
communication and cooperation at Community level between voluntary
organizations and associations which represent disabled people' .
Throughout its programme the Commission has given high priority to the
development of its active cooperation with national , European and
international NGOs and to the encouragement of collaboration between
them .
    25 . Every year the Commi ssion organi zes a two-day meeting with the
representatives of the 24 most prominent associations of or for
disabled people which exist at international or European level ;
it is expected that at least one of the two representatives of each
association should be himself or herself disabled .       When the
Commission is developing policy proposals , leading NGOs are invited
to submit position papers and to participate in the Commission 's
consultation workshops . Many NGO leaders visit the Commission 's
Bureau in Brussels for personal contact ; many periodicals are received ,
and the Commission is now responding by sending regular newssheets to
periodical editors .
    26 . The most fruitful source of collaboration is the Commission 's
scheme of subventions to European cooperation , of which the NGOs are
the chief beneficiaries . In 1985, 35 such subventions were accorded ,
and in 1986 51 . The activities supported covered a wide range
of disabilities and occurred at all levels in all Member States .        In
the case of highly innovatory activities the Commission is sometimes
able to offer as much as 50% of the total cost ;       in these cases , and
                           ( 52 )
 ---pagebreak---                            9
even when the Community grant is Less substantial , it is evident that ,
 in view of the travel , translation or interpretation costs which
 European cooperation generally entails , the activity simply would
not have been able to take place without Community support . While
many of the activities supported consist of conferences or encounters ,
some have a more concrete nature , such as the production of common
symbols for tactile maps by the European Blind Union and the creation
of a European Electronic Mailbox by the 'Euroaction' group of associa ¬
tions of deaf people .   The scheme incorporates a number of activities
which themselves have a networking character , for example the regular
programme of exchanges for young disabled people and the professionals
who work with them organized by Mobility International , the annual
theme seminars arranged in different countries by the European Commu¬
nity National Secretariats of Rehabilitation International and the
'Euramis' programme of exchange and collaboration between promoters
in the voluntary sector .
   27 . Although this scheme of support entirely respects the autonomy
of the associations concerned , there is no doubt that , as well as
helping to enhance the quality of the activityof the NGOs it has
promoted the European dimension of it . The creation of 'Autism Europe'
is an example of this , as well as the strengthening of the European
activity of the World Blind Union , the World Federation of the Deaf ,
the World Federation for Mental Health , the International League of
Societies for Persons with Mental Handicaps and Disabled People 's
International .   If the Commission is able to maintain its level of
support , this effect will become increasingly evident . The only
unsatisfactory element in this element of the programme is that
the Commission has not disposed of the resources to make it possible
either to offer the NGOs an adequate documentation service or to
contribute sufficiently to the European dissemination of the results
of their work .
        C.  INFORMATION
(i )   Handynet
   28 . The Council in its 1981 Resolution invited the Commission to
pursue its efforts also 'by pooling information , while taking into
account existing national information systems , and ensuring an
exchange of information between the services involved...' At the same
time Member States were invited to 'promote the development and
availability of technical aids , the pooling of information and
experience in the field etc' . The Commission 's response to this
invitation has been the development of the 'Handynet' Project , which
is a long-term action aimed to establish a computerized multilingual
information system on disability questions throughout the European
Community, operating by means of national files which will be merged
to form a European file for each module . National files will be
established by means of data-collecting networks in each Member States ,
and information which has been 'pooled' in the European file will be
accessible on-line or in print form by means of distribution networks
                          C 53 )
 ---pagebreak---                       - 10
 which will include national and local authorities , research and
 development centres and institutes , national or regional associations ,
 local advisory , information and resource centres on independent living ,
 and ultimately ( for some types of information at least ) individual
 disabled people and their families in their homes .
    29 . Handynet will be developed by a series of steps , as the succession
 of modules out of which the whole system is to be constructed is
 established . Each module may consist of a number of data bases ; this
 is true of the first module , which comprises three data bases concern¬
 ing technical aids ( the Handyaids Module ): one of these will consist
 of a catalogue of profiles of all the technical aids available on the
 European market ; the second will be a directory of all those public
 or private bodies involved in the production , purchase , distribution
 and evaluation of technical aids , and in research or advice concerning
 them ; the third will comprise abstracts of legislation concerning aids
 and summarized descriptions of the systems for supporting their product ¬
 ion and distribution .
    30 . 'Technical aids' has been chosen for the first Handynet module
 for a number of reasons . So complex and diverse , but also so
 concrete a field both lends itself to systematic treatment and also
demands it - if, that is, comprehensive , rapid and accurate ( including
updated ) information is ever to be available to the administrators ,
professionals and clients who need it . Even more important , the
 Commission is convinced that an information 'leap' in the domain of
technical aids is urgently needed in order to improve       a market which
 is in many respects fragmented and vulnerable and sometimes protectionist
   31 . The Handyaids module has reached the point where an operational
pilot can be launched . A classified terminology, based on the Nordic
System and in line with International Standards Organization policy ,
has been prepared in all nine Community languages . A uniform record
system has been developed by cooperation between rehabilitation infor¬
mation centres in three Member States , and Technical Standards have
been established which make it possible now to produce a specification
and invitation to all Member States to nominate partners to join the
Handyaids network . With the aid of the computer facility of the
European Space Agency a demonstration of Handyaids at work will be
shown to Members of the European Parliament , national officials and
representatives of the disability associations before the end of 1987 .
   32 . Meanwhile other Handynet information modules which will need
to be developed in succession to Handyaids are in an earlier stage
of preparation . Surveys of need and feasibility studies have been
undertaken on the employment of disabled people , on education ,
rehabilitation and training , on prevention , on access and on transport .
Probable priorities , and the general financial implications of future
development , have been treated in Part I of this document .    Meanwhile
it is important to stress three aspects of Handynet 's character :
   - An information network cannot operate without common standards ;
the technical work needed to achieve these requi res time and patience .
                            ( 54 )
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 11
 Even so , Handynet will move forward too quickly for some would-be partners ,
even some Member States , to keep pace . It will always be possible to join
the network later , but late joiners will have less chance to influence
priorities and standards .
     - Handynet is essentially a cooperative venture , in which the interest
and the autonomy of partners ( local and regional as well as national ;
private as well as public ) will need to be respected . At the same time , it
must be recognized that the actively coordinating role of the Commission is
essential if anything worthwhile is to be done ; without it , the best that
would ever eventually happen would be some bilateral exchanges between
countries with powerful information systems , leaving other Member States
excluded .
     - Handynet is not about information for its own sake . The aim of Handynet
is to provide the essential information component in a programme to promote
social integration and independent living . The widespread, comprehensive need
for information at all levels is continually being reasserted in the world of
disability; everyone knows that new technology is the key to adequate
information strategies . Within this broad aim, the specific objectives of
Handynet are to improve the market , promote quality in rehabilitation services ,
advance standards in the physical environment of independent living and enable
disabled people to establish more appropriate relations with professionals
and administrators in the planning of their own rehabilitation and in their
progress towards autonomy .
     ( ii )  Documentation Service
33 . There exists an extensive and growing demand from administrators ,
professionals and disability groups for information on developments at
Community level and also national legislation , innovation and good practice .
The Commission has been able to establish an on-demand service for the supply
of Community policy documents , and a much more limited service in respect of
studies and other reports . Information about Community activities of
particular interest to disabled people is regularly produced in braille and
on audio-cassette for people with visual impairments , and the Commission is
supporting an external project to adapt similar material with illustrations
to make it more accessible to profoundly deaf people . The Commission has
also supported a number of external initiatives to produce video cassettes on
disability questions which are of good quality and accessible in several
languages . These services are a beginning ; it must however be recognized that
in its first social integration programme the Commission has not had the
resources which would make it possible tomeet the demand, or anything like it .
     D    GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
34 . In order to make it possible to develop the whole programme in
close association with the Member States , the Commission organizes
regular meetings of the Liaison group on Disability, the national
delegations which are composed of senior officials drawn mostly
from ministries of employment , social affairs or health . The Report
has already mentioned the less frequent but also regular 'dialogue 1
meetings with the principal Non-governmental Organizations , and
valuable discussions of programme development also take place in
                                   ( 55 )
 ---pagebreak---                             - 12 -
 meetings of the operational groups - the District Projects teams ,
 for example , the directors of rehabilitation centres in the network
 and the Handynet partners . In these ways the Commission 's service
 can keep in touch with the opinion of administrators at local and
 national levels , of professionals and of disabled people . In order
to strengthen the contacts with local authorities the Commission
 in 1986, in cooperation with the International Union of Local Autho¬
 rities , organized a seminar of officers and elected members at local
and regional level with a particular experience of disability problems ;
 it has been agreed that that is the first in a series of such communi ¬
cations .     It is intended also to repeat at reasonable intervals dis¬
cussions with representatives of the social partners , the first of
which was organized with the cooperation of CEDEFOP in 1985 .
   35 . The importance of the contribution of the European Social Fund
to the programme of District Projects has been indicated earlier in
this report ( paragraphs 11-15 ). Close cooperation has also been
established between the Commission 's Bureau for Action in Favour of
Disabled People and the directorate of the European Social Fund in
support of the programme of Exceptional Financial Support for Greece
in the Social Field, as far as concerns both the vocational training
of disabled people and the rehabilitation aspects of the psychiatric
reform .
   36 . The Commission 's Bureau for Action in Favour of Disabled People
has had to devote considerable time to establishing contact with acti ¬
vities of the Commission which are outside the social action programme
but of relevance to disabled people - in the fields of transport and
tourism , for example , the internal market and taxation . The Directo¬
rate General for Information has supported the Bureau by distributing
news about the delete action programme to all the Commission 's Infor¬
mation Offices in Member States , as well as offering advice and faci ¬
lities for audiovisual projects . Close relations have been developed
between the social integration programme and the Community 's programme
of medical research , notably the projects concerning auditory impair¬
ment , new technologies for the blind and the evaluation of technical
aids for the paralysed . Contacts have also been established with the
relevant more recent programmes in the field of information technology .
At the same time the Commission has taken steps to promote social
integration in itw own services , by encouraging the recruitment of
disabled people as an explicit element of personnel policy , by improving
physical accessibility ( especially to the building in which Directorate-
General V is situated ), by employing severely disabled people in the
service responsible for the programme , and in launching a pilot projet
to develop advanced work stations for blind officials .
   37 .   Cooperation with International Organizations is also an essential
element in the Commission 's work in the field of disability . This in¬
volves following closely the work of the United Nations , the World Health
Organization , the OECD and the Council of Europe, and arranging for reci ¬
procal participation in key meetings . Of particular importance was the
Commission 's role in the process of coordination of the contribution of
the Community countries to the 1985 Convention and Recommandation of the
International Labour Organization on the Rehabilitation and Employment
of Disabled Persons ( 1 ).
(1)     Convention Nr . 159 of 20.6.1983
        Recommendation Nr . 168 of 20.6.1983
                              ( 56 )
 ---pagebreak---                               - 13 -
   38 . Effective education for those with special needs is evidently
a necessary foundation for any social integration policy , and the
potential of Community action was therefore greatly enhanced when
for the first time in 1984 the Council and Ministers of Education
meeting within the Council ( 1 ) called on the Education Committee
to prepare a report on the situation concerning the school integration
of children and young people with disabilities , at the same time
inviting the Commission to develop this theme within the framework
of its current education and disability programmes . Accordingly ,
with the aid of a group of officials and experts from Education
Ministries ( the Working Party on Educational Integration ) the
Commission prepared a descriptive report and analysis which the
Education Committee received is currently presenting to the
Education Council . Moreover the Commission in February 1987 sub¬
mitted a Communication to the Council ( 2 ) which proposes a first
Community programme of exchange and cooperation in this field .
The Commission has been helped in the development of its ideas
by the fact that throughout the social integration programme it
has been able to support and learn from the activities of Non¬
governmental Organizations working in the educational field .
           E.   CONCLUSION
   39 .   The Commission believes that the experience of the last four
years has demonstrated the need and the value of a concerted Community
activity aimed to ensure for its 30 million or more disabled citizens
an equal opportunity to participate in a full economic , social , cul ¬
tural and political life . The structure of the first action programme
here reported , comprising a series of policy initiatives linked to a
number of positive actions and to the development of systematic infor¬
mation , should in the Commission 's view be preserved in the future .
As to the details of implementation , the lessons to be learned from
the experience of 1983-1987 and recorded in the Report have been
applied in all sections of the proposals set out in Part I of this
Communication .
(1 )    Conclusions of the 932nd meeting of the Council and Ministers of
        Education meeting within the Council , Luxembourg , 4 June 1984 .
( 2)    C0MC87) 94 final of 13.3.87
                               ( 57 )
 ---pagebreak---                  FICHE D' IMPACT SUR LA COMPETITIVITE ET L' EMPLOI
  I. Quelle est la justification principale de la mesure ?
      réponse : en ce qui concerne la formation professionnelle , art . 128
                   du Traité
                   pour les autres aspects , manque de pouvoirs du Traité
                   pour assurer l' amélioration du niveau de vie des personnes
                   handicapées ( art . 235 ).
  II . Caractéristiques des entreprises concernées , en particulier :
      - y-a- t - i l un grand nombre de PME ?
      - note -t -on des concentrations dans des régions
           . éligibles aux aides régionales des E.M ?
           . éligibles au Feder ?
      réponse : il n' y a aucun impact direct sur les entreprises .
III . Quelles sont les obligations imposées directement aux entreprises ?
      réponse : rien
 IV . Quelles sont les obligations susceptibles d' être imposées indirec ¬
       tement aux entreprises via les autorités locales ?
      réponse : rien
   V. Y-a-t - i l des mesures spéciales pour les PME ?
       Lesquelles ?
      réponse : non
 VI . Quel est l' effet prévisible ?
       - sur la compétitivité des entreprises ? réponse : rien
       - sur l' emploi ?
      réponse : le programme va promouvoir une bonne qualité de formation
                  professionnelle des personnes handicapées cherchant un
                  emploi .
VII . Les partenaires sociaux ont -ils été consultés ?
       - avis des partenaires sociaux .
      réponse : oui . Accord de l' UNICE sans commentaire - Avis favorable
                  de la CES et du comité consultatif pour la formation pro ¬
                  fessionnelle , avec certaines suggestions positives concernant
                  la mise en oeuvre du programme .