CELEX: 51991PC0350
Language: en
Date: 1991-10-23
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION establishing a third Community action programme to assist disabled people ( HELIOS II ( 1992­96 ) )

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                 COM(91) 350 final
                                                 Brussels, 23 October 1991
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                                 Proposal for a
                                COUNCIL DECISION
           establishing a third Community action programme to assist
                     disabled people (HELIOS II (1992-96))
 ---pagebreak---                                             - 2 -
                               EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
                          THIRD COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMME
                                 FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
                              - HELIOS II* - (1992-96)
   A.   REVIEW OF COMMUNITY MEASURES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
   1.   A multidimensional approach
        With some thirty million nationals affected by physical» sensory,
        mental or psychological disabilities (about 10% of the population),
        the European Community is working towards the economic and social
        integration of disabled people as part of the general drive to
        raise the standard of living of all its citizens.
        The Member States first signalled their commitment in this field
        with the establishment of a Social Action Programme adopted by the
        Council in 1974< 1 ). In view of the growing needs of disabled
        people, the Commission launched a first Community action programme
        in 1983.
        Whereas the Community's contribution to national efforts initially
        focused on the technical exchange of experiences, it subsequently
        turned   its attention to devising a comprehensive, consistent
        policy, entailing the preparation of various Community instruments
         in favour of disabled people. Thus, the Council adopted a
        Recommendation in 1986(2), concerning the employment of disabled
        people, and      a programme     of   European  collaboration on   the
         integration of handicapped children into ordinary schools was
         introduced in 1987(3).
        A further step was taken in 1988, with the adoption by the Council
        of the second Community action programme covering the period 1988-
        1991(4), which was designated HELIOS (Handicapped People in the
        European community Living Independently in an Open Society). Its
        purpose was to extend and build on the activities of the previous
        programme, with special emphasis on helping disabled people to live
        more independently. A framework, basis and criteria were thus laid
        down for the development, at Community level, of a comprehensive,
        consistent policy, in the form of practical, concrete proposals in
        various key sectors.
        Over the last few years, various provisions have been adopted in
        different fields relating to disabled people.
   *    HELIOS: Handicapped people in          the  European  community Living
         Independently in an Open Society
    (1) 0J  No C 13, 12.2.1974, p. 1.
    (2) 0J  No L 225, 12.8.1986, p. 43.
    (3) 0J  No C 211, 8.8.1987, p. 1.
    (4) 0J  No L  104, 23.4.1988, p. 38.
2)
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 3 -
    On the basis of a Commission report, the Council gave its
    conclusions in 1989(5) on the employment of disabled people, with
    a view to ensuring equal opportunities in access to vocational
    training and employment by encouraging the participation of all the
    parties involved.
    The Community Charter of Fundamental      Social  Rights  of  workers
    contains a section on disabled people.
    With a view to implementing the Charter, the Commission drew up an
    action programme and submitted to the Council a proposal for a
    Directive on the mobility and transport of persons with reduced
    mobility* 6 ). Mobility and the provision of transport to the place
    of work are an integral part of the vocational integration and
    individual development of disabled people.
     In 1990, the Council of Ministers adopted a Resolution concerning
    the integration of children and young people with disabilities into
    ordinary systems of education* 7 ).
2.  Other Community programmes, activities and initiatives for disabled
    peopIe
    The Commission has, over recent years, launched a range of
    programmes, activities and initiatives with a view to meeting the
    specific needs of disabled people.
    A general    overview  of  these activities  is set  out  in Annex  a
    (p. 14).
B.  OBJECTIVES AND PROVISIONAL REPORT ON THE HELIOS I PROGRAMME
    The aims of the HELIOS I action programme were:
         to identify innovatory approaches and measures with a view to
         improved convergence and coordination of measures taken in the
         Member States for disabled people,
         to add a Community element in respect of the integration of
         disabled   people   through an exchange of      information and
         exper ience,
         to improve participation at Community level     on  the part of
         disabled people and their organisations.
(5) 0J No C 173, 8.7.1989, p. 1.
(6) C0M(90) 588 final.
(7) 0J No C 162, 3.7.1990, p. 2.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 4 -
   In accordance with the Council Decision of 18 April 1988 on the
   establishment of the HELIOS I action programme, the Commission
   presented     an   interim   report    on   6 December   1990    on   the
   implementation and the results of HELIOS I. The final report wit!
   be submitted by 1 July 1992 to the European Parliament, the Council
   and the Economic and Social Committee.
   A report on work undertaken under HELIOS I Is set out in Â n r m ^
   (p. 19).
C. PROGRAMME AND GOALS, HELIOS II (1992-96)
1. Preparation of the proposal
   This proposal is based on:
        extensive    consultation    with    the   persons,   circles: a*vl
        authorities directly concerned. Over 100 suggestions (about 250
        pages) were received by the Commission, mainly from disabled
        individuals and organisations for disabled people, scisniifk
        specialists and persons working on a professional and voluntary
        basis on rehabilitation and other local, regional and n%*Umzt
        activities;
        numerous consultations on intermediate projects discussed t
        meetings of the Advisory Committee, the Liaison Group, ° v *<\ ;
        Dialogue Group and the Group on integration in schools;
        analysis of positive elements emerging         from  eva h ^ ' <    f
        activities under earlier programmes.
        This broad consultation demonstrated the considerable <i6$r-*~ -
         interest on the part of Member States' rep ese^»-w;.-
        rehabilitation     professionals     and   particularly     vis." K
         individuals and organisations representing them, in taking ?
        active part in the definition of Joint objectives for ^
        development of an overall strategy for the integration of
        disabled people.
2. Objectives of HELIOS II
   With a view to stimulating a comprehensive, consistent and
   coordinated policy for the full integration of disabled people,
   HELIOS II set out to devise common approaches in a wide variety of
   fields such as prevention and early assistance, functional
   rehabilitation, integration in the education system, continuing
   training, vocational guidance and training, employment, new
   technologies, technical aids and databases, independent living,
   access to cultural, creative, sports, leisure and tourism
   activities, family life, the elderly, and the social, economic and
    legal protection of disabled people.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 5
   Compared with HELIOS I, the proposal for HELIOS II has been
   extended to cover prevention and early assistance, functional
   rehabilitation,     integration in nursery schools and further
   education, continuing training, and access to creative, sports and
   tour ism act ivit les.
   In HELIOS II, the attention devoted to new technologies will be
   intensified     in all fields, particularly    in respect of the
   adaptation of workplaces, and technologies which can help overcome
   the isolation of disabled people and which further the educational
   process.
   HELIOS II also makes provision for extending the organisation of
   competitions and the award of prizes in such fields as employment
   and vocational training, school integration, creative activities,
   sport and tourism, all in close collaboration with the media.
   The activities envisaged for the HELIOS II programme are thus
   geared to interaction, a common approach and coordination, which
   are seen as essential for consolidating the benefits of the
   programme in all directions and achieving the fullest possible
   integration, integration is in fact perceived as a whole and may
   not be regarded as achieved if disabled people are unable to profit
   from each of its constituent elements. Consequently, integration
   in the field of education is, especially and simultaneously, the
   precursor of vocational and economic integration and is a factor in
    individual fulfilment, construed as the capacity to enter into all
   forms of activity and areas of social life. HELIOS II will
   therefore promote a greater Joint effort and increased dynamic
   cooperation between all its participants, and its effects should be
   enhanced by the back-up provided by other related Community
   programmes (particularly HORIZON and TIDE).
3. Measures
    In addition to the promotion and, where appropriate, establishment
   of policy guidelines for the Commission at Community level in
   respect of integration problems faced by disabled people, three
    interactive aspects will be pursued, intensified and restructured
   under HELIOS I I:
   1)   Technical cooperation
        Implementation of positive measures focusing on the needs of
        disabled people at local level, through technical cooperation
        developed by the Community networks and representative European
        non-governmental organisations, with the aim of exchanging
        information and sharing innovative and effective experiences
        among all those involved at European level.
 ---pagebreak---                                           - 6-
           2)  HANDYNET information and documentation
               Joint    development    of    an   extended   information     and
               documentation system       covering every     aspect     of   the
               coordinated rehabilitation and integration     process, for the
               benefit of disabled people and all those      involved in this
               process.
           3)  Consultation
               Establishment of structures.
               The proposal is to intensify the action undertaken on
               behalf of disabled people, emphasising such aspects as
               prevention, disabled women, carers, elderly disabled
               people, training those         involved and     increasing    the
               awareness of the general public and specific target groups.
               Promoting the integration of disabled people requires
               action at several levels and cuts across the entire social
               spectrum. The commitment to tackling the problems of
               disabled people has been clearly expressed on several
               occasions and there is no doubt that the Community wishes
               to continue and consolidate the measures taken.
           3.1. Technical cooperation
           Three activities are proposed under the heading of technical
           coopérât ion:
               networks of innovative Local Integration and Exchange
               Activities      (A.I.L.E.)<8)      focusing    on     functional
               rehabilitation, integration in the fields of education and
               training, vocational training and employment, and social
               intégrât ion;
               cooperation at several levels with the representative
               European     non-governmental      organisations     (EURAS)^ 8 ),
               responsible for organising annual Innovative theme-based
               Rehabilitation     Activities    (A.I.R.)<8)    in   all    areas
               connected with the integration of disabled people;
               public awareness-raising through a programme of awards
               given for pilot projects on aspects of employment,
                independent    living,    technical    aids  and    access     to
               creativity, tourism and leisure.
(8) The acronyms A.I.L.E., A.I.R. (which are pronounced phonetically ["
    L " ] , [" R M 3) and EURAS are the same in all the Community languages
    and are used as singular and plural.
 ---pagebreak---                             - 7
3.1.1. Community networks of innovative Local   Integration and
exchange Activities (A.I.L.E.)
The innovative, local nature of specific activities should be
retained, albeit changing the names given to the networks in
order to extend the scope beyond pilot projects and to
emphasise the innovative nature and the final objective of
integration in respect of all the projects selected. Members of
the Community networks must satisfy strict criteria for
participation and must achieve precise, specific results with
regard to annual themes submitted to them in liaison with the
Member States. The greater effectiveness called for is a
consequence    of  the need    to coordinate     a consistent,
comprehensive Community policy, in which the Commission is
assisted by outside experts. The A.I.L.E. Community networks
will be required to intensify their cooperation with the
HANDYNET system and the European non-governmental organisations
(EURAS).
The Community networks are obliged not only to encourage the
most effective action but also to transfer the best experiences
and practices, taking account of the earliness, overall
applicability, continuity and diversity of individual measures.
This increased assessment of activities should help to
consolidate the spin-offs from HELIOS II for the benefit of
disabled people and their relatives.
The programme of activities of these networks comprises study
visits, training courses, seminars, conferences and other
Europe-wide Joint activities, covering the following areas:
    HELIOS II will set up a new Community network dealing
    specifically with the functional aspects of rehabilitation.
    The specialised nature and precise remit of this network
    will give a boost to the full range of medical practices
     involved in the general integration of disabled people by
    way of a continuing and consistent rehabilitation process.
    The network dealing with integration in the educational
     field will continue its work under HELIOS II to bring out
    the full potential of disabled children and to respond to
     the expectations of their parents and to the needs of
    disabled adults. The aim here is to achieve the maximum
    degree of integration into mainstream educational systems.
    Where HELIOS I concentrated on primary and secondary
    education, HELIOS II will continue the work and extend it
     to nursery schools, higher education and continuing
     training.
 ---pagebreak---                                - 8 -
     In the field of economic and vocational integration, HELIOS
     I sought to promote vocational training and facilitate
     employment in a normal working environment, without however
     neglecting provisions to ease the transition to the
     ordinary working environment. HELIOS II will continue this
     work and extend it to sheltered employment, to which end an
     awareness campaign will be mounted among workers, firms and
     employers.
     The network dealing with independent living, which was
     already in existence at the time of HELIOS I, will be
     stepped up for HELIOS II to cover the urban environment,
     housing,    accessibility     to   public    buildings,    new
     technologies and domestic aids, all features which are
     essential to enable disabled people to live as independent
     a life as possible. Independent living is also one of the
     main areas for influencing public opinion and certain
     target   groups    (local    decision-makers   or   managers,
     architects, etc.). The scope will be extended to elderly
     disabled people and to the families of disabled people.
3.1.2. Contribution towards European cooperation with Europe-
wide representative non-governmental organizations.
Cooperation with European disabled people is arranged through
the intermediary of European non-governmental organisations
(EURAS) representing various types of disability or specific
integration issues in the Member States.
Such cooperation will be carried out in the context of
Innovative theme-based Rehabilitation Activities (A.I.R.).
These will entail exchanging information, experiences and
efficient practices in all the fields relating to the
integration of disabled people, i.e. prevention and early
assistance, functional rehabilitation, integration in the
fields of education and training, vocational training and
employment, new technologies, technical aids and data bases,
 independent living, access to cultural activities, creativity,
sports, leisure and tourism, families and the elderly, and
social, economic and legal protection. These             Innovative
Rehabilitation Activities (A.I.R.) reflect the activities
undertaken within the A.I.L.E. Community networks and HANDYNET,
and are to be carried out by means of conferences, seminars,
study visits, training courses and other Europe-wide Joint
activities, on the basis of annual themes determined by the
Commission in liaison with the European non-governmental
organisations (EURAS). Setting annual themes will help the NGOs
(EURAS) to make better use of their expertise. It is essential
to intensify cooperation between them and the Community
A.I.L.E. and HANDYNET system networks.
 ---pagebreak---                             - 9 -
3.1.3. Fostering public awareness
HELIOS II will attach much more importance to raising public
awareness and disseminating information on the problems of
integrating disabled people, addressing the programme partners
and the general public.
To this end, competitions will continue to be organized and
prizes awarded in the field of independent living, the scope
being extended to include employment, technical aids and access
to creativity, tourism and leisure activities. Priority will be
given to media activities aimed at increasing the awareness of
the general public and specific target groups as to the
potential for integrating disabled people.
Arrangements for the dissemination of information under HELIOS
I will be intensified at Community level and brought in at
national level.
3.2. HANDYNET information and document ion system
HANDYNET Is a multiIingual European computerized information
system designed to provide information to disabled people on a
variety of matters, including their specific needs.
HANDYNET is a European prototype and is unique by dint of its
use of nine languages-, it has been developed step-by-step, and
became operational in 1990 thanks to the collaborative effort
of specialists from all countries.
In HELIOS I, HANDYNET was concerned solely with technical aids
for those with a motor, visual or communication disability,
plus educational software.
Under HELIOS II, it will be extended to vocational training and
employment, accessibility and transport, sports, leisure,
tourism and creative activities.
The system can be used in three ways: as a database, an
electronic mail system and as an electronic Journal.
HANDYNET plays an innovative and precursor role in respect of
European networks and mult 11inguism, and has major social,
economic and scientific implications.
At the social level, it enables disabled people to choose, in
their own language, what is the most appropriate and least
expensive technical aid by comparing the range of products on
the market. It also enables politicians, administrators and
social workers to acquire the kind of information they need for
policy purposes.
 ---pagebreak---                               10 -
In economic terms, the information available in the system
serves to break down barriers and make the market more
transparent. This should remove barriers between the Member
States, improve quality and reduce costs thanks to sharper
competition, and the increased play of supply and demand should
help the market to develop.
At the scientific level, being able to compare products and
their special features will generate a research effort which
should help develop the use of new technologies in improving
technical aids.
3.2.1. Database
As requested by the Council in its Decision of 18 December
1989, the HANDYNET system became operational in the first half
of 1990.
The   system   hinges on   national   data  collection  centres
designated by the Member States to constitute a European
collection and information network.
The national centres collect information on technical aids
available in their particular Member State and forward it in
their cvn language to a central HANDYNET coordinating unit,
which then processes the data to make them available in the
nine Community languages.
These data relate to technical aids, commercial and non-
commercial producers and distributors, and to the rules and
regulations in force in the country in question on the
acquisition or lease of such aids.
Thanks to the cooperation between the collection centres in the
technical coordination group, collection      input forms were
simplified to make the collection procedure faster. So far
 (23 September 1991), 13 316 items of information have been
collected on technical aids for persons with motor, visual and
communication disabilities, together with an inventory of
education or rehabilitation software.
Each national data collection centre can thus consult the
HANDYNET European database by telephone, although there are a
number of drawbacks to this procedure.
To overcome these, it was decided to replace the "on line"
system by a much faster and decentralised system (CD-ROM), i.e.
a compact disc supplied to each of the national centres and
updated at regular intervals.
The HANDYNET system is thus now operational for the collection
of data-, work is concentrating at the moment on achieving as
wide a dissemination as possible of this information by the
national and regional information centres.
 ---pagebreak---                             - 11 -
Training for personnel at these centres in the Member States is
provided for under the HORIZON initiative and will call as much
as possible on the services of disabled people.
Disabled people's information requirements ar% not limited Just
to technical aids; what is needed is the same kind of
information on matters essential to a frontier-less Europe,
i.e. labour market, accessibility, transport, tourism and
sport.
3.2.2. Electronic mail and electronic Journal
The structure adopted for the HANDYNET system made it possible
to develop a communication and information system linking the
members of the network by electronic mail and an electronic
Journal.
Under HELIOS I, the above facilities were available only to the
national data collection centres; under HELIOS II, they will be
extended to all programme partners.
3.3 Extended consultation structures
The Advisory Committee which was set up under HELIOS I will be
retained    for HELIOS   II. Alongside this committee, the
Commission intends to maintain and enlarge the liaison group
and to bring in, along with the government representatives,
representatives of the non-governmental organisations and of
the social partners.
The dialogue group will also be formalized under HELIOS II.
This group comprises only representatives of the representative
European non-governmental organisations, the aim being to
exchange views on HELIOS II activities.
4. Conclusion
HELIOS II is therefore intended to maintain, promote and
 intensify the activities undertaken      in HELIOS I, which
consisted of supporting the efforts being made in the Member
States and to increase cooperation and coordination of
activities at local, regional, national and Community levels.
Consequently, the Commission is proposing to the Council the
 implementation of a third action programme designated HELIOS
 II, embracing all types of disability and integration issues,
with the aim of making significant advances for the benefit of
disabled people, who are constantly confronted with their
 limitations and find life a permanent struggle. The programme
 is constructed in such a way as to take account of the wishes
of disabled people, their families and others involved, and
reflects the recommendations, resolutions, opinions and wishes
expressed in particular by the European Parliament and other
 international and Community organizations and bodies. For the
purpose of carrying out this programme, it appears necessary to
extend its application over a period of five years, from 1992
to 1996.
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 12 -
    D.   COMMENTS ON THE ARTICLES OF THE PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION
                            ARTICLE 1
Article 1 sets out the aim of the HELIOS II programme, which
extends the scope of the HELIOS I programme, embracing in
particular    activities connected with prevention, functional
rehabilitation and various areas of social integration (sports,
leisure, tourism and culture).
Integration in the field of education is now formally and directly
included as one of the aims of the HELIOS II programme. In HELIOS
I, education was included indirectly, being limited to the primary
and secondary sectors. In HELIOS II, it is extended to nursery
schools, university and other higher education and continuing
training.
HELIOS I looked at vocational and economic integration designed to
bring more attention to bear on the transition to employment in a
normal environment. HELIOS II will bring in further elements, viz.
guidance and assessment, the adaptation of workplaces and work in a
sheltered environment.
HELIOS I covered a four-year period, whereas HELIOS II will extend
over f ive years.
                            ARTICLE 2
Article 2 concerns the scope of HELIOS II, with a general
definition of disability. In view of the many different categories
of disabled people to whom the Community action applies, it has
been necessary to amend this Article in relation to the HELIOS I
programme, taking into consideration the classification of the
World Health Organization. This classification, which is now used
 in an increasing majority of Member States, provides a means of
covering all the persons targeted by the Community action,
regardless of the origin of the disability: physical (including
sensory) and mental (including psychical) or disability resulting
from a serious chronic ailment.
                            ARTICLE 3
Article 3 sets out the various fields of activity under the new
programme, going on to set out the aims of work in each of these
fields:
a)   a comprehensive Community policy,
b)   identification of innovâtive measures,
c)   continued development of exchange and information activities at
     Community level,
d)   improved cooperation with the European NGOs.
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 13 -
                           ARTICLE 4
Article 4 refers to the measures necessary for implementing the
HELIOS II programme. These can be broken down into general and
specific measures. The first of the general ones concerns technical
cooperation within the networks and collaboration with the NGOs.
The second measure, HANDYNET, describes the arrangements for the
collection and dissemination of information, and for stimulating
research. The third measure concerns participation on the part of
disabled people and their representative organisations, while the
fourth covers cooperation with other international organisations.
The specific measures are explained in detail in the Annex.
ARTiae §
Article 5 is unchanged vis-à-vis HELIOS I, and makes the Commission
responsible for implementation of HELIOS II.
ARTICLE 6
Article 6 sets up an advisory committee to assist the Commission in
implementing the programme and spells out what matters the
committee is required to advise on.
ARTICLE 7
Article 7 provides for an interim report to be drawn up by
31 December 1994 and a final report to be produced by 1 July 1997.
The two reports are to be addressed to the European Parliament, the
Council and the Economic and Social Committee.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 14 -
                               ANNEXE?
Annex a :    REVIEW OF OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES»
             ACTIONS AND INITIATIVES
             IN FAVOUR OF DISABLED PEOPLE
A.  Specific measures for disabled people
    1.  TIDE initiative
        Technology for the socio-economic Integration of Disabled and
        Elderly people.
    2.  HORIZON in it iat ive - Targeting disabled people
        Community initiative geared to improving the conditions of
        access to the employment market for disabled and disadvantaged
        persons.
B.  Other Community   programmes, actions and     initiatives focusing on
    disabled people
    1•  European Social Fund (ESF)
        Disabled people constitute one of the ESF's target groups, with
        the emphasis on long-term unemployment and young people without
        Jobs.
    2.  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
        The ERDF covers activities in the fields of health and training
         in various regions of the Community, providing effective back-
        up to the measures undertaken within the context of the HELIOS
        programme.
    3.  Human resources, education, training and youth
        All of the following programmes           give  priority   to  the
        participation of disabled people:
        a)   ERASMUS: European Community       action    scheme  promoting
             mobility of university students and cooperation in higher
             education (1990-94).
        b)   LINGUA: Programme to promote foreign language competence in
             the European Community (1990-94).
        c)   ARION: Scheme of study visits for education specialists.
             Community cooperation programme designed to improve the
             quality of educational systems.
        d)   Youth for Europe: Action programme for the promotion of
             youth exchanges in the Community (1992-94).
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 15 -
4. Health and safety at work
   The framework Directive on the introduction of measures to
   encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work
   (89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989) imposes a general obligation on
   employers to protect risk groups (including disabled people)
   against the dangers which specifically affect them (Article 15).
   The individual Directive concerning the minimum safety and health
   requirements for the workplace (89/654/EEC of 30 November 1989)
   sets out the requirements regarding adaptation of the workplace and
   sanitary   facilities, accessibility of premises and             internal
   movement.
   The proposal for an individual Directive concerning temporary and
   mobile work sites also contains specific provisions in respect of
   disabled people.
5. Medical research and health
   Medical research and health-related measures must satisfy the wide-
   ranging needs arising in the context of Community policy in favour
   of disabled people. Community instruments adopted in 1990 with a
   view to preventing incapacity and disability have contributed
   greatly to reducing the causes of incapacity and disability
   resulting from various diseases or health problems. Additionally,
   research has been undertaken in medicine and the development of
   medical technologies.
6. Telecommunications and telematics
a) COST 219: Research project aimed at providing solutions to the
   problems arising from the needs of disabled persons in terms of
   access    to   telecommunications    and     te le informatics   services
   (1989-91).
b) RACE:   Research    and  development     in    Advanced    Communications
   technology in Europe (1990-94).
   Three projects under the     RACE  programme,      focusing  directly  on
   disabled people, concern:
       marketable aid services to help the deaf and hard-of-hearing,
       the visually handicapped, persons with reduced mobility and the
       elder I y,
       a model for adapting multi-media terminals,
        information on the requirements of different categories of
       disabled    people, with   a view       to    introducing   suitable,
        innovative equipment.
c) AIM: Advanced Informatics in Medicine. Research and development
   programme in the field of telematics applied to the health sector
   (1991-94).
   Research work undertaken as part of the AIM programme contains two
   projects of interest to disabled people, concerning:
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 16 -
        systems and tools designed for remote functional evaluation of
        disabled people and for the organisation and enhancement of
        home care,
        equipment and facilities making modern technologies more
        accessible to disabled people.
d) DRIVE: Dedicated Road Infrastructure for Vehicle Safety in Europe.
   Community research and development programme in the field of road
   transport informatics and telecommunications.
   The Drive programme sets out to improve road safety through
   standardization,    research,   development    and   evaluation   of
   informatics technologies in respect of road transport (150 000
   people a year become permanently disabled as a result of road
   accidents in the Community).
e) DELTA: Community action in the field of learning technologies -
   development of European learning through technological advance
   exploratory action.
   Covers the following fields in particular:
        vocational training schemes for disabled people
        computer-assisted teaching
        measures designed to eliminate barriers to communication.
7. Transport
a) Accessibility of means of transport: proposal for a Council
   Directive on minimum requirements to improve the mobility and the
   safe transport to work of workers with reduced mobility (adopted on
   28 February 1991).
b) Common rules for a denied-boarding compensation system in scheduled
   air transport (adopted on 8 February 1991): Article 3(4) takes
    into consideration the interests of passengers who must be given
   boarding priority for legitimate reasons, such as disabled persons
   and unaccompanied children (to guard against overbooking).
c) COST 322: Research into the development of a       low-floor bus and
   corresponding adaptations to bus stops.
d) Study on the information and communication requirements of disabled
   people to enable them to use public transport.
e) European driving licence (Directive of 29 July 1991): Sets out
   specific provisions to improve access for physically disabled
   people (particularly those with a sensory disability, epilepsy or
   diabetes) to a driving licence. More particularly, it features a
   provision enabling holders of category B licences to drive
   minibuses or other vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes "for social
   purposes".
f) Proposal for a Council Directive on the standards relating to the
   design of buses and coaches: Sets out special provisions in respect
   of accessibility, entrance and exit points, height of steps, width
   of gangways and access doors (December 1990).
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 17 -
8.   Reduced VAT rates and import duties
a)   Reduced VAT rates: It is planned to retain zero-rating or reduced
     rates for a transitional period for special appliances designed for
     disabled people and for their rehabilitation in Member States where
     such provisions currently apply.
b)   Import duties: Exemption of import duties on goods designed to be
     used    by   disabled  people   in  certain   restricted   conditions
     (Regulation 918/83). A proposed amendment provides for one of the
     conditions to be done away with, viz. the requirement regarding
     non-equivalence to Community products. Duty-free import is limited
     to goods imported free of charge and with no commercial intention
     on the part of the donor (Directive 82/181/EEC).
9.   Leisure
a)   Creativity: Creation of a structure for the coordination of
     creative activities at national and European levels (concerning the
     European NGO EUCREA and the national NGOs in each of the twelve
     Member States). Its task is to stimulate and coordinate all
     creative activities (e.g. painting, music, theatre, dance, etc.)
     both as therapeutic elements and as a means of self-expression.
b)   Sport: Institution (in progress) of a structure for coordinating
     sporting activities for and by disabled people, with a view to
     enhancing the consistency of activities at national and European
      levels.
     Establishment of a European data bank containing details of ail
     organisations involved in sporting activities for disabled people
      (operational on CD by the end of 1991).
c)   Tourism: Measures for the creation of a structure to coordinate
      tourist activities for disabled people at national and European
      levels.
     A    special   chapter  has been    devoted   to   "social  tourism",
     particularly for disabled people, in the Commission's communication
     on tourism.
 10. Consumer policy
     The Consumers' Consultative Council undertakes a regular review of
     Commission initiatives on the specific needs of disabled people.
 11. External relations
      a)   PHARE: Community aid programme for economic restructuring in
           the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Regulation
           3906/89).
           The PHARE programme features projects for Romanian children
           and, more particularly, the full-scale renovation of 17 centres
           for disabled children.
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 18 -
        b)  TEMPUS: Transeuropean mobility programme for higher education
            (1990-1994, Decision of 7.5.1990).
            In the context of the PHARE programme, there are three TEMPUS
            projects open to disabled people..A project submitted in 1990
            concerns   training    for. disabled    people,  and   general
            consideration has been given to the specific needs of disabled
            peop i e.
    12. Cooperation with developing countries
        Within the general context of the European Community's policy on
        cooperation with the developing countries, one of the main aims is
        to promote the right of access to appropriate health care services
        for the maximum number of people in developing countries, with a
        view to promoting equality and social Justice.
        A large number of Community projects aimed at the development of
        national health care systems in the developing countries include
        activities in favour of disabled people, either in terms of
        prevention or of physical or social rehabilitation.
(4)
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 19 -
   Annex b: PROVISIONAL REPORT ON THE HELIOS I ACTION PROGRAMME
1. Political initiatives
   Political initiatives have generally been the result of activities
   undertaken at all levels, more particularly at seminars and
   conferences attended by disabled people and their representatives
   and within the networks for the exchange of information and
   exper ience.
   To take an example from the education field, the conclusions
   arising from the conference held in Rotterdam (1989) led eventually
   to the Resolution of 31 May 1990, which in turn generated a greater
   effort and pragmatic effects from most of the Member States.
   In this respect, the following texts are worthy of mention:
        Report on the employment of disabled people in the Community,
        following the Council Recommendation of 24 July 1986, and the
        Conclusions of the Council of 12 July 1989.
        Council    Decision  of   18 December    1989  concerning   the
        continuation of the Handynet system under the HELIOS programme.
        Resolution of the Council and the Ministers of Education of
        31 May 1990 concerning the integration of disabled children and
        young people into mainstream education.
        Interim Report of 6 December 1990 to the European Parliament
        and the Council on the implementation of the HELIOS I
        programme.
        Draft Resolution of the Council and the Ministers of Education
        on school integration concerning relations between parents and
        teachers.
        Proposal for a Council Directive on minimum requirements to
        improve the mobility and the safe transport to work of workers
        with reduced mobility.
2. Technical cooperation
   The essential aim of the activities in this field is to promote
    innovation, facilitate exchanges of experience and encourage the
   dissemination of useful experience by the following means:
   a)   more intensive European cooperation on existing activities of a
        model nature in the Member States;
   b)    institution of a computerised information database (HANDYNET)
         in the nine Community languages in fields affecting the lives
        of disabled people.
 ---pagebreak---                                - 20 -
c) European networks
   Four networks have been set up, their members        having  been
   designated by the Member States' governments:
   1)  50 vocational    training  or  rehabilitation   centres   and
       exper iences,
   2)  21 local model activities for the integration of disabled
       children and young people in education,
   3)  27 local model activities centring on economic integration,
   4)  32 local model activities dealing with social integration
       (e.g. accessibility, housing, mobility and transport),
   making a total of 130 activities spread over      the 12 Member
   States.
   These four networks were set up to stimulate the exchange of
   ideas and trading of useful knowhow and experience among the
   Member States. This is done largely by way of conferences,
   seminars, study visits and training schemes.
   The conferences bring together members of a network and a
   number of external parties. Their aim is to ensure a consistent
   European approach to the development of techniques and to
   promote one or more specific aspects.
   The seminars are devoted to specific themes and bring together
   members of a network who have a particular interest in that
   theme.
   The conclusions arising from such conferences and seminars are
   given wide circulation so that each member concerned can
   circulate the information and derive benefit from it.
   This information is used to organise:
       study visits to enable network members to see and study at
        first hand successful schemes with a view to obtaining new
        ideas;
        training schemes to enable people to study        and  learn
       particularly effective methods or techniques.
 ---pagebreak---                             - 21 -
The results of "al I these activities are difficult to quantify
as the process of acquiring and refining ideas and concepts is
a gradual one.
Nonetheless, it is safe to say that certain Member States with
a somewhat less sophisticated social system are keen recipients
of such information and derive progressive benefit from the
experience of other parties with a view to attaining an
equivalent level of development, aided more particularly by the
Horizon initiative.
Certain particularly significant activities, arising either
from such meetings or entirely spontaneously, have been so
successful that they merit further discussion.
As    regards   the work of     the VOCATIONAL    TRAINING  AND
REHABILITATION CENTRES AND EXPERIENCES, it is worth mentioning
two new activities, the first of which concerns the
rehabilitation of people with brain damage, where three centres
have been pursuing a collaborative effort and have successfully
rehabilitated a number of such people.
The second concerns the vocational rehabilitation of patients
with mental health problems, involving centres in Rotterdam and
Maastricht (Netherlands), Thessaloniki (Greece), Osnabrueck
(Germany) and Edinburgh (Scotland).
Mention should also be made of a number of centres whose work
 is of a particularly high level:
Pengwern Hall (Wales) for people with mental handicap, which is
devising a training programme covering the full range from
basic daily activities up to placement in a normal working
environment.
The vocational training centres in Worms (for physically
disabled people) and Bad Vilbel (for physically and mentally
disabled people) in Germany, where participants can obtain high
qua I ificat ions.
The Sahva vocational school in Copenhagen (Denmark), which
combines a flexible training programme with production for the
non-sheltered market.
Queen Alexandra College for the blind in Birmingham (United
Kingdom), which has a full-range training programme and
services for those with a visual handicap.
 "La Nostra Famiglia" in Bosisio Parini (Italy) for children
with various types of disability, where rehabilitation work is
to a high level in close cooperation with a scientific
 institute.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 22 -
    -     The vocational centre in Saint-Etienne (France), which has set
         up a business cooperation model.
         The Cope Foundation for mentally handicapped people (Ireland),
         which is a good example of a whole range of services from*very
          young children up to the elderly.
As regards LOCAL MODEL ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF SCHOOL       INTEGRATION,
mention should be made of a number of specific LMAs:
          Northumberland   (United  Kingdom)   for   the  adaptation    and
         equipping of schools with a view to the integration of severely
          disabled children and young people.
          Swansea (United Kingdom) for the integration of disabled young
          people in secondary and higher mainstream education.
          Tholen (Netherlands) for a system of cooperation between
          mainstream and special establishments with a view to limiting,
          recourse to the special system and facilitating access to the
          mainstream system.
          Valladolid   (Spain) for    individual   integration   with   the
          assistance of a multi-disciplinary team.
          Siena (Italy) for research into new technologies, inter-
          departmental cooperation and production of a well conceived
          municipal plan.
          Hinnerup (Denmark) for individual integration     in all  schools
          and research into new technologies.
As regards LOCAL MODEL ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION,
attention might usefully be drawn to the success achieved by the
fol Iow i ng LMAs:
          Genk-Hasselt (Belgium) for a special placement service for
          disabled people, which has achieved a high level of success.
          Silkeborg (Denmark) for an interesting philosophy and a wide-
          ranging experiment in vocational training in the mainstream
          system.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 23 -
        Abensberg (Germany) for a highly effective follow-up system in
        respect of the employment of mentally handicapped people.
        Tullamore      (Ireland)     for     its  structured    and    effective
        involvement in the guidance and employment of disabled people.
        Rieti (Italy) for the de-institutionalisation, socialisation
        and training of mentally ill people by way of a realistic
        approach to employment on the one hand and a publishing
        cooperative for physically disabled people on the other, the
        latter providing training in new technologies.
        Lisbon (Portugal) for a coherent and successful             approach   to
        vocational training for deaf people.
        London (United Kingdom) for vocational              training    and  new
        (technology-based) approaches to placement.
        Mureia (Spain) for its systematic approach to the            integration
        of people with mental handicap.
        Badajoz (Spain) for its management of a placement project for
        disabled people in semi-sheltered environments.
As regards LOCAL MODEL ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION
AND INDEPENDENT LIVING, the following LMAs merit particular attention:
        Val de Marne (France), Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg) and Alava
        (Spain) for their independent living and vocational schemes for
        mentally     ill people who have spent           long periods      in an
         inst itut ion.
        Banff (United Kingdom), Nykobing and Falster (Denmark), Vejle
        (Denmark)      and    Waterford     (Ireland)  for   a    regional    de-
         inst itut ional isat ion   plan    establishing   home    help   bases,
        vocational      training    and    leisure activities     for   mentally
        handicapped and mentally ill people.
        Giugliano (Italy) and Stuttgart (Germany) for the development
        of    psychiatric      social    services   away   from    institutions,
         including emergency services, vocational training, employment
        models and leisure activities.
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 24 -
       Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France) for its social integration
       scheme based on specially adapted housing, mobility, transport
       and access lb 111ty.
       Bordeaux (France) for its return-home scheme, technical aids,
       adapted housing and everyday aids.
       Belluno (Italy) for its scheme to teach       independent  living,
       technical aids and accessibility.
       Bologna (Italy) for its inventory of technical aids            for
       physically disabled people and for its monitoring of           the
       environment of people with serious physical disabilities.
       Llanelli (United Kingdom), London (United Kingdom) and Brighton
       (United Kingdom) for a scheme to involve disabled people in the
       decision-making process, and a door-to-door transport system.
d) HANDYNET computerized    information database
   HANDYNET is a multilingual European computerized    information system
   designed to cover the following fields:
       technical   aids for motor       and visually   disabled   people,
       communication and educational software,
       vocational training and employment,
       accessibility and transport,
       sport, leisure , tourism, creative activities, etc.
   In accordance with the Council Decision of 18 December 1989,
   priority has been given to activities designed to complete and make
   operational the HANDYAIDS module on technical aids for persons with
   a motor, visual, hearing, mental or communication handicap.
   The system comprises three working modes:
        1.  a data base
        2.  electronic mai I
        3.  an electronic Journal
   The HANDYNET system is a European prototype and has been developed
   step-by-step,    becoming    operational   in 1990, thanks     to  the
   collaborative effort of specialists from all countries.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 25 -
   Contracts have been signed with the national data collection
   centres and checked by the respective governments. They lay down
   the rights and duties incumbent on all parties to the system,
   including the Commission. Contracts were signed between June 1990
   and February 1991.
   The collection process started up progressively with the signatory
   centres following installation of the workstations and staff
   training as defined at the system configuration stage.
   As a result, all Member States have been in a position to collect
   the requisite information from the start of 1991.
   To begin with, collection was by    way of the telephone network,
   which proved particularly slow and   costly. Since then, interfaces
   have been introduced to facilitate   the automatic transposition of
   data, with the result that 13 316    items of information had been
   collected by 23 September 1991.
   With the help of the national collection centres represented on the
   liaison group, simplifications were made to the highly complex
   collection forms and improvements were made to the system itself.
   Improvements to be made over coming months include using CD-ROM
   techniques, i.e. compact discs which can be used quickly and easily
   on a decentralized basis.
   Development work is still needed on the information and advice
   centres designed to provide information to disabled people
   themselves. This is at the initiative and under the responsibility
   of the Member States. Technological advances will enable sight and
   sound to be used in combination so as to make data accessible to
   all types of disabled people (e.g. voice synthesis, braille, etc.).
3. Cooperation with NGOs
   The Commission has already contributed to funding for 163 EC-wide
   activities organised and run by the European NGOs (EURAS). Priority
    in HELIOS I was given to cooperation with European NGOs
   representing particular disability types or integration issues.
   Such cooperation has been strengthened during the HELIOS Programme
   and covers the following activities:
       ongoing dialogue,
       advice to the Commission on technical        matters   following
       consultation with national organisations,
       participation in the designation of     technical  criteria  for
       political in it iatives,
       dissemination of information on the HELIOS Programme,
       cooperation with other activities in the HELIOS Programme.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 26 -
    Cooperation with the European NGOs is based on annual        European action
    programmes, with the Commission funding conferences,        seminars, study
    trips, training schemes and other such cooperation         activities on a
    European scale. Of the 50 European NGOS, 30 belong          to the dialogue
    group and nine to the HELIOS liaison group.
    A number of the subsidised NGO activities have been of a particularly
    high quality; to mention Just a few:
    Action Européenne des Handicapées (AEH)
    A seminar on the employment of mentally and physically handicapped
    people was held in Aachen (Germany) in November 1989, the aim being to
    formulate ways of improving employment opportunities for disabled
    people on the open labour market.
    Confederation    of   family  organisations   in  the   European   Community
    (COFACE)                                                /
     In Strasbourg in April 1991, COFACE and the Association des Paralysés
    de France organised a conference on freedom of movement and settlement
    of disabled people in the Community, the aim being to formulate a
    resolution on this central theme.
    Euro Ii nk - Age
     In March 1990, Euro I ink Age organised a European seminar in Florence on
    ageing and disability, the aim being to discuss these two major areas
    and set up links at European level. The meeting was attended by all
    twelve Member States; the final report contained a European code of
    practice regarding disability and the ageing process, and this was
    taken into account in the policy-making process by the Commission, the
    European Parliament and the Council of Europe.
     International League of Societies for Persons with a Mental Handicap
    The ILSMH organised an annual meeting in June 1991, the aims being to
    formulate a policy on housing for the adult mentally handicapped
    population in Europe, and to discuss the ethical problems of biomedical
    research.
     International   Federation  of  Disabled  Workmen  and   Civilian   Cripples
     (FIMITIC)
    FIMITIC organised a conference on independent living and assistance for
    disabled people in Denmark in June 1990. The congress ended with the
    unanimous adoption of a resolution on the fundamental rights of
    disabled people.
(5)
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 27 -
Mobility International
The seminar organised in Milan at the beginning of December 1990 sought
to compare the legal situations of disabled people at all stages of
their Iives.
Rehabilitation   International   European   Communities Association (Rl  -
ECA)
In November 1988, Rl -      ECA, together with the Spanish Ministry of
Social Affairs INSERSO,    organised a European seminar in Spain on a
comparison of     income,    benefits   and   services with    a view   to
harmonisation of social    protection provisions in the Community. The
final report summarised    the outcome in respect of benefits, services
and social protection.
European Blind Union (EBU)
A conference was held in Copenhagen in December 1988 on new techniques
and new training for blind telephonists. The outcome of the conference
was the formulation of an important political position on the part of
the Union: positive discrimination, training, ongoing consultation with
businesses and development of a European Forum to stimulate contact and
the exchange of experience and technical and technological information.
European Community Regional Secretariat of the World Federation of the
Deaf - ECRS
At the education conference held in Athens, the "declaration of the ten
rights of deaf children" was adopted. The declaration was launched at a
HELIOS seminar on school integration in Rotterdam in 1989 and has since
acted as a catalyst for subsequent change. A department for the
education of deaf people has been set up at Patras University in
Greece, and sign language is being introduced in Portuguese schools.
The report served as a basis for a number of subsequent conferences
 (training and employment, deaf students' rights, bilingual education).
European Regional   Council   of the World Federation    for Mental Health
 (ERC-WFMH)
The first European congress for the families of mentally ill people was
organised in Belgium by the Flemish Mental Health Association in
conjunction with ERC-WFMH in June 1991. A manifesto was produced on the
 rights of mentally ill people and their families.
 Creative activities, sport and tourism
 During the life of the HELIOS I programme (1988-1991), there was a
 rapid growth in the number of organisations working in the field of
 sport and creative activities for disabled people.
 ---pagebreak---                                       28 -
At the same time, creativity and sport are becoming increasingly
important aspects in fostering the integration of disabled people
through the exchange of ideas and experience between the Member States.
The international organisation EUCREA, which is concerned with creative
activities for and by disabled people and was set up at the initiative
of the Commission of the European Communities, has its roots in
national committees in all the twelve Member States. EUCREA's aim is to
stimulate and coordinate creative activities at national and European
 levels. During the life of HELIOS I, some 350 creativity projects were
assessed, 127 of which eventually received financial support from the
Commission. These projects cover all forms of artistic expression and
all types of disability. Funds have been made available for the
organisation of conferences, seminars and exhibitions on the creativity
theme and to help develop facilities for disabled people, ranging from
music and the theatre, through painting and literature, to audiovisual
productions. Grants have been made available to support the work of
disabled artists and others active in the creativity field.
As regards sport, contacts with an increasing number of organisations
representing disabled people have brought out the need for a
coordination structure at both national and Community levels. The
Commission is giving its backing to this initiative with a view to the
rationalisation of sporting events.
During the period 1988-91, some 50 projects concerning a variety of
sporting activities and various types of disability received funding
from the Commission.
 In the tourism field, the British Tourist Board, in conjunction with
the Commission, organised a European conference in March 1991 on
 "Tourism for all". This was targeted at the tourism industry and looked
more particularly into ways of providing a more effective service for
disabled people and the social services and organisations representing
them. The participants stressed the fact that training for architects
should bear in mind the needs of all tourists, whether able-bodied or
disabled. Mention was also made of the need to arrive at a situation
where travel agencies would systematically consult organisations or
specialists dealing with disabled people.
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 29 -
4. Public awareness activities
   Great importance is attached to public awareness, whereby the aim
   must be to bring about a change in the mentality and attitude of a
   large part of the population. In this respect, cooperation with the
   media   is becoming more and more important. An agreement on
   audiovisual coverage of major events has been concluded with a
   television company. A HELIOS information stand is present at a wide
   variety of fairs and exhibitions to enable information to be
   circulated directly to disabled people and professionals.
   Each year, the Commission organises competitions and awards prizes
   in the field of independent living for disabled people (e.g.
   accessibility, transport and housing). 29 such awards were made at
   the European conferences in Brussels in 1989 and in Brighton in
   1991 for such work as:
       production of an adaptable item of equipment for wheelchairs to
       enable them to clear static or mobile obstacles and avoid
       collisions with pedestrians; being adapted to their daily
       needs, such equipment can enable severely disabled people to
       move about without danger to themselves or to others (Belgium);
        infra-red transmitters at strategic places in areas used by the
       public (e.g. stations and post offices) providing instructions
       or information for blind people (Germany);
       adaptation of public transport (e.g. buses and underground
       trains) in the city of Bilbao (Spain) for all types of
       disability (e.g. lift platforms, ramps, information in braille
       and in the spoken word);
       training    in care    and   independent  living   for  mentally
       handicapped adolescents in a centre providing all the requisite
       equipment and non-institutional activities (Italy);
       renovation and adaptation of housing in an area close to the
       centre of Edinburgh (Scotland), drawing on the experience of
       disabled people and facilitating independent and community
        living and social integration.
   Mention should also be made of work done at London's Heathrow
   Airport, adaptation of a sailing boat for the needs of disabled
   people, grants for disabled artists and accessibility to a wide
   range of European museums and art galleries.
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 30 -
5. Studies
   The following studies were conducted under the HELIOS I programme,
   providing an essential basis for the formulation of new policies
   and more particularly for new political initiatives:
       copyright for mentally handicapped artists
       sheltered workshops in Europe
       disabled women
       disabled people and new technologies
       vocational and leisure activities for persons with a mental or
       other very severe handicap and for those with multiple
       handicaps
       mobility and transport for disabled people
       the employment situation for disabled people
       statistics on the situation of disabled people
       survey of national rehabilitation centres
       survey on    the   situation  of  deaf  people  in  the   European
       Commun i t y
       comparison of Member States' social security      systems with a
       view to harmonisation for disabled people.
6. Consultation structures
   As regards the consultation structures instituted under the HELIOS
   programme, the aims are to make activities as transparent as
   possible and to involve disabled people directly in the decision-
   making process. These structures take the form of:
       an advisory committee comprising two government representatives
       per Member States;
       a liaison group comprising government representatives from the
       advisory committee, nine representatives of European non-
       governmental     organisations   and   workers'  and    employers'
       organisât ions-,
 ---pagebreak---                          - 31 -
working parties on school integration, employment for disabled
people, mobility and transport, comprising government experts
to assist the Commission in the various integration fields;
a dialogue group currently comprising some 30 NGOs selected on
the basis of their représentâtivity in a particular field at
European or international level;
various technical working groups made up of experts, such as
the HANDYNET technical coordination group.
 ---pagebreak---                                           - 32 -
                                     Proposal for a
                                    COUNCIL DECISION
            establishing a third Community action programme to assist
                       disabled people (HELIOS II (1992-96))
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and
in particular Articles 128 and 235 thereof,
Having   regard  to Council    Decision 63/266/EEC of         2 April   1963   laying down
general   principles   for   implementing    a common     vocational   training    policy1,
and in particular the tenth principle thereof,
Having regard to the Commission proposal2,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament3,
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee4,
Whereas the completion of the single market, with              its social dimension and
the changes resulting therefrom, a rapidly developing technical                environment
and the context of more complex          labour markets make      it necessary to adopt
suitable measures to assist disabled people;
Whereas   the Conclusions of the Council          and of    the Ministers of      Education
meeting within the Council of 14 May 1987 concerning a programme of European
collaboration    on  the    integration    of    handicapped    children    into   ordinary
        5
schools    and the Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers of Education
meeting   within   the   Council   of   31   May   1990 8  affirm   the   need   to  remove
material barriers, to use flexible education methods to meet individual needs
and to facilitate the transitions to education, to working life and to adult
 life,  to  establish   as   active   a   policy    of  cooperation    as   possible   with
specialized institutions, to make use of the various possiblities offered by
new technologies with regard to education and to foster                links between the
family, the community, social and health services and the world of work;
1    OJ No  63, 20.4.1963, p. 1338/63.
2    OJ No  C
3    OJ No  C
4    OJ No  C
5    OJ No  C 211, 8.8.1987, p. 1.
6    OJ No  C 162, 3.7.1990, p. 2.
 ---pagebreak---                                              - 33 -
Whereas the HANDYNET system, through the availability of the technical aids
module, assists in improving conditions for the integration of the disabled
and in making the institutions, professions and associations involved in the
process of integrating the disabled aware of applied research in the field of
technical    assistance; whereas the HANDYNET system thus plays a fundamental
role with regard to the aims of this programme;
Whereas    the   present    programme     is designed      to complement      action     taken at
national, regional and local levels, in particular by ensuring an exchange of
experience and information relating to these actions;
Whereas, as provided for under item 26 of Title I of the Community Charter of
Fundamental     Social   Rights for Workers7, all disabled persons, whatever the
origin    and   nature   of   their    disablement,     must    be   entitled     to    additional
concrete     measures      aimed    at    improving     their     social    and      professional
 integration; whereas these measures must concern, in particular, according to
the    capacities     of    the   beneficiaries,       vocational      training,      ergonomics,
accessibility, mobility, means of transport and housing;
Whereas     the    Communication      from     the   Commission      concerning       its   action
programme8 relating to the implementation of the Community Charter of Basic
Social Rights for Workers emphasizes that the implementation                       in the Member
States    of  measures     to develop      and   further    a coherent     overall      policy   to
promote occupational        and social     integration and an       independent way of life
for   the disabled,      both   at   national     and Community      level,    is an     important
element    of  the social     dimension of       the single market,       to be completed        in
1992;    whereas    a  European     integration     policy    for   the   disabled      should   be
pursued and      furthered    in order     to provide greater equality of opportunity
for disabled people, who form one of the most disadvantaged sections of the
populat ion;
Whereas, because this Decision           is concerned on the one hand with principles
for   implementing a vocational         training policy and one promoting               employment
and   on   the   other    with   measures,      including    those    to   promote      functional
rehabilitation,        integration      into    schools,     social      integration       and   an
 independent way of life for the disabled, which need to be adopted                       in order
to attain one of the objectives of the Community, and the Treaty has not
provided     the   necessary    specific     powers,    it   is necessary       to    invoke   both
Article 128 and Article 235 of the Treaty;
7    C0M(89) 471 final.
8    C0M(89) 568 final, pp. 53-54.
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 34 -
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
                                      Article 1
A Community action programme to promote educational, occupational, economic
and social   integration and an independent way of         life for disabled people
(HELIOS II programme), hereinafter called "HELIOS II", is hereby established
for the period 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1996.
                                      Art icle 2
For the purposes of HELIOS II, "disabled people" means people with serious
impairments, disabilities or handicaps        resulting    from physical     (including
sensory) or    mental    (including  psychical)    impairments    and  restricting   or
making   impossible    the performance   of  an activity     or  function    considered
normal for a human being.
                                      Art icle 3
The objectives of HELIOS       II shall be as follows in respect of          functional
rehabilitation, integration into education, vocational training, occupational
rehabilitation, economic and social        integration and an      independent way of
 life for disabled people:
a)   to  promote  the    development  of   a comprehensive     Community    integration
     policy based on the best innovative and effective experience and practice
     in the Member States;
b)   to identify those     innovative approaches and measures to be promoted in
     order to improve the convergence and coordination of actions carried out
     under point a ) ;
c)   to continue   to develop exchange and       information    activities which    can
     make a useful contribution as referred to in a) and to ensure that they
     are given as wide a circulation as possible;
d)   to   strengthen     cooperation   with    the    Europe-wide     non-governmental
     organizat ions.
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 35 -
                                       Art icle 4
1.  The general    measures designed     to attain the objectives         referred     to in
Article 3 shall be as follows:
a)  to coordinate, undertake and encourage activities based on precise annual
    topics,    with    the   intention    of    promoting    innovation,      facilitating
    exchanges of experience and encouraging the dissemination of successful
    experiences and the transfer of effective practices.                These activities
    shall   closely   involve disabled     people,    their   families,    representative
    organizations, experts, researchers, professionals working               in the field,
    voluntary helpers and the two sides of industry.
b)  to meet the information needs of disabled people by pursuing, within the
    context    of   the    computerized    information     and    documentation       system
    HANDYNET, on the basis of national data, the collection, adaptation at
    European    level,   updating,    exchange    and  dissemination      of    information
    gathered   in the Member States by the national collection and information
    centres.
    The   HANDYNET   system   is also    intended    to stimulate     research     into and
    production of technical aids through establishing an inventory of applied
    research undertaken in this area.
c)  to promote    the participation of disabled         people   in existing      Community
    programmes,    in particular    in the areas of training and preparation for
    working   life, new technologies, vocational         training    and employment, of
    equal treatment of women, the learning of languages, and mobility of and
    exchanges by young people within the Community;
d)  to   ensure   close    coordination    with    activities    undertaken      by   inter-
    governmental    organizations,     and   cooperation    with   other   activities     at
     international level in the areas referred to in Article 3.
2.  The   specific   measures    designed    to  attain   the  objectives      set   out  in
Article 3 are listed in the Annex.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 36 -
                                    Art icle 5
The Commission shall ensure the implementation of HELIOS II.
                                    Article 6
1.  The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee of an advisory nature,
hereinafter    called    the    "Committee",    composed    of    two    government
representatives from each Member State and chaired by the representative of
the Commission.
2.  The opinion of the Committee shall be requested:
    for the constitution and for the definition of the selection criteria of
    the Innovative Local Integration and Exchange Activities (A.I.L.E.);
    for the establishment of the list of annual themes to be dealt with in
    the course of conferences, seminars and study visits organized within the
    framework of these networks;
    on any measure of a general or specific nature to be undertaken within
    the framework of the application of Article 4.
3.  The representative of     the Commission   shall  submit   to the Committee a
draft of the measures to be taken.      The Committee shall deliver     its opinion
on the draft, within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according
to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
    The opinion shall be recorded     in the minutes; in addition, each Member
State shall   have the right    to ask   to have   its position   recorded   in the
minutes.
    The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by
the Committee.    It shall   inform the Committee of the manner       in which   its
opinion has been taken into account.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 37 -
                                  Article 7
1.  Before 31 December 1994 the Commission shall submit an interim summary
report to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social
Committee on the implementation of HELIOS II.
2.  Before 1 July 1997 the Commission shall     submit  a full  report to the
European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee on the
implementation and results of HELIOS II.
Done at Brussels,                                     For the Council
                                                       The President
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 38 -
                                  ANNEX
               SPECIFIC MEASURES TO ATTAIN THE OBJECTIVES
                REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3 OF THE DECISION
1.  GENERAL REMARKS
    These specific measures will be undertaken by the Commission in
    consultation with the Member States, associations of disabled
    people and of their families, the two sides of industry and
    professional and voluntary bodies involved in the integration of
    disabled people.
    The conditions and procedures       for   participation by network
    partners, the HANDYNET      system  and    European   non-governmental
    organisations are set out below.
    Special attention will be given to the role of new technologies in
    the integration of disabled people. The pedagogical and practical
    potential of new technologies can be a useful tool              in the
    development of teaching aids, the adaptation of workplaces, means
    of communication and mobility and as a way of ending the isolation
    of disabled people.
2.  COMMUNITY NETWORKS FOR   INNOVATIVE  LOCAL   INTEGRATION AND  EXCHANGE
    ACTIVITIES (A.I.L.E.)*
2.1 General conditions and procedures for participation by the A.I.L.E.
2.1.1.  The members of each network must in each Member State represent
         innovative institutions of high standing and with a high
        technical   level, recognised in the integration sector and
        giving evidence of interest and experience in this field.
        The A.I.L.E. will be designated as members of a network by the
        Commission on the basis of proposals from the Member States and
        may be replaced.
        Those A.I.L.E. which are candidates for membership of a network
        must undertake to attain clearly defined objectives linked to
        specific and innovative topics.
    The acronym A.I.L.E. (with the phonetic pronounciation " L")
    remains unchanged in all Community languages and is both singular
    and plural.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 39 -
        Each A.I.L.E. will draw up an annual programme of activities
        with a Community dimension, together with a provisional
        timetable. Each A.I.L.E. will undertake to cooperate at
        Community level and to supply information obtained to the other
        network partners and to partners in the external network.
        A network's activity programme will consist of study visits,
        training courses, seminars, conferences and other European-
        scale cooperative activities and will be established on the
        basis of annual topics.
        Positive actions, studies and cooperation with European non-
        governmental organisations (EURAS) and Member States will be
        carried out in cooperation with the activities of each
        Community network.
        Working    parties   grouping   together  A.I.L.E., and     given
        responsibility for implementing various topics relating to the
         integration process, may be set up. An assessment group will
        be set up.
        The A.I.L.E. will be called upon to cooperate closely with the
        relevant    representatives of     local, regional or national
        authorities,    European   non-governmental   organisations    and
        organisations and associations representing disabled people,
        their families and professional and voluntary helpers.
2.1.2.  Rate of Community financial contribution: up to 50% for
        conferences (in cooperation with national authorities) and up
        to 100% for seminars, working party activities, study visits,
        training courses and publication of a magazine.
2.2 Specific activities
2.2.1.  Community network for INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND EXCHANGE
        ACTIVITIES in the field of functional rehabilitation (A.I.L.E.
         I)
        Creation of a network of INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND
        EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES consisting of medical          rehabilitation
        centres (A.I.L.E. I) set up on the basis of clearly defined
        criteria. The task of this network will be to facilitate
        exchanges of information and experience with regard to the
        principles and criteria for complete and coherent functional
        rehabilitation (early timing, completeness, continuity and
        multi-disciplinary nature of individual operations).
        The A.I.L.E. will be represented at network meetings by       ill-
        time professionals in the field of rehabilitation.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 40 -
2.2.2. Community network of INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND EXCHANGE
       ACTIVITIES in the field of education (A.I.L.E. II).
       Creation of a network of INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND
       EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES in the field of education (A.I.L.E. II)
       based on specific criteria which are to be drawn up. The task
       of this network will be to facilitate exchanges of information
       and experience in nursery, primary, secondary, university and
       para-university education and in continuing training.
       This network will pursue, on the basis of annual programmes,
       the implementation of the European cooperation programme for
       the integration of handicapped children into ordinary schools
       (87/C22/01) and of the Resolution (90/C162/02) concerning the
       implementation of the integration of children and young people
       with disabilities into ordinary systems of education.
2.2.3. Community network of INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND EXCHANGE
       ACTIVITIES in the field of vocational training and employment
       (A.I.L.E. Ill)
       Amalgamation of the network of vocational          training and
       rehabilitation centres and of the network of Local Model
       Activities in the field of economic integration (LMA II) from
       the first HELIOS programme in a new network comprising
        INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES in the
       field of vocational training and employment (A.I.L.E. Ill), on
       the basis of clearly defined criteria. The task of this
       network will be to facilitate exchanges of information and
       experience with regard to the principles and criteria governing
       vocational training and employment, particularly with regard to
       topics such as guidance and assessment, training innovations,
       employment, sheltered employment     (in particular sheltered
       workshops), the transition to ^employment       in an ordinary
       environment, the adaptation of workplaces and evaluation of
       employment capability.
       This network will      continue to    implement   Recommendation
       86/379/EEC and Conclusion 89/0173/01 on the employment of
       disabled people in the Community and will contribute to the
       application of the Community Charter of Fundamental Social
       Rights of Workers.
       The Commission will promote a "European code of good practice"
       on integration into the labour market, drawn up in cooperation
       with the Member States.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 41 -
2.2.4.   Community network of INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND EXCHANGE
         ACTIVITIES in the social field (A.I.L.E. IV)
         Transformation of the network of Local Model Activities in the
         field of social integration (LMA III) from the first HELIOS
         programme into the network of INNOVATIVE LOCAL INTEGRATION AND
         EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES in the social field (A.I.L.E. IV), on the
         basis of clearly defined criteria. The task of this network
         will be to facilitate exchanges of information and experience
         and to encourage as independent a way of life as possible and a
         full social life, with particular regard to the rights of
         disabled people, their participation in normal life, access to
         accommodation, public buildings and transport and the removal
         of   architectural   and psychological   obstacles    and   those
         hindering communication.
         Exchanges of experience in the following fields: accessibility
         of   public    buildings  (including   cultural    and    leisure
         facilities), adaptation of private accommodation (including
         equipment and home help to permit an independent way of life in
         one's own accommodation) and provision of facilities to assist
         the mobility and transport of disabled people.
3.  COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION SYSTEM (HANDYNET)
3.1 General conditions and procedures for participation by national
    collection and coordination centres and by national information and
    advice centres.
    National collection and coordination centres will have as their
    task the transmission to a central point of data collected at
    national level concerning the various fields of integration and,
    depending on the circumstances, commercial or non-commercial
    organisations having a link with technical aids and concerning the
    regulations in force in respective Member States.
    The task of the national information and advice centres will be to
    inform and advise both disabled people and their professional
    helpers about the social and economic integration process on the
    basis of data made available at Community level.
3.2 Specific activities
    Continued development of the technical aids module, collection of
     information relating to products and to commercial and non-
    commercial organisations associated with these products and an
    inventory of regulations concerning these products.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 42 -
     Extension of the HANDYNET system through the creation of new
     modules dealing with employment and training, sport, creativity,
     tourism and other leisure activities, a research bibliography,
     documentation, a multilingual thesaurus and statistics.
     Carrying out positive and forward-looking activities to encourage
     the adaptation of new technologies to the needs of disabled people,
     and to encourage research.
     Rate of Community financial contribution: up to 100% (to cover the
     European dimension of the system).
4.   COOPERATION WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
4.1.      General conditions    and procedures  for  cooperation with   the
          Commission.
4.1.1.    The Commission will strengthen its cooperation with the non-
          governmental organisations (NGOs), primarily with those which
          are representative at European level.
4.1.2     The European NGOs (EURAS)* will participate at various levels
          on the basis of respect for the criteria of representativeness
          within the Community, as follows:
              at the first level, the EURAS will be represented in the
              twelve Member States, have some competence in dealing with
              each type of disability or be specialized in dealing with
              the main problems of integrating disabled people;
              at the second level, the EURAS will represent a specific
              disability or integration issue in more than one Member
              State. They will be invited to Join forces and be
               represented at Liaison Group level by an NGO representing
               their type of disability or their integration issue.
              The Commission will invite the EURAS taking part in the
              programme within the Liaison and/or Dialogue Groups to
              establish a National Committee in each Member State,
              grouping    together   the various    national   associations
               representing a type of disability or an integration issue.
     The acronym EURAS remains the same in all Community      languages and
      is both singular and plural.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 43 -
4.2 Specific activities
    To draw up, each year, a programme of activities eligible for
    financial support from the Commission and to give a balanced
    opinion on the priority rating of these activities.
    To organise Innovative Rehabilitation Activities (A.I.R.)* in all
    fields concerned with the integration of disabled people, such as
    prevention    and  early   assistance,  functional  rehabilitation,
    integration into schools and training, vocational rehabilitation,
    vocational training and employment, new technologies, independent
    living, access to cultural activities, creativity, sports, leisure
    and tourism, the families of disabled people, the elderly disabled
    and social, economic and legal protection. These Innovative
    Rehabilitation Activities (A.I.R.) will be carried out by means of
    conferences, seminars, study visits, training courses and other
    European-1 eve I cooperative activities on the basis of annual
    topics.
    To provide information for national associations in the Member
    States and other European NGOs in their respective sector of
    activity on actions undertaken at Community level.
    To advise the Commission, at its request, on the technical aspects
    associated with the type of disability or the specific integration
    issue being dealt with.
    To submit an annual report on activities carried out which have a
    European dimension.
    The Commission will contribute to the expenses arising from the
    provision of coordination and expertise for first-level European
    non-governmental organisations (EURAS).
    Rate of Community financial contribution: up to 50% for meetings of
    the National Committees of the EURAS, conferences, seminars, study
    visits, training courses and other European-1 eve I cooperative
    activities, and up to 100% for expenses arising from the provision
    of coordination and expertise for first-level non-governmental
    organisations (EURAS).
    The acronym A.I.R. (with the phonetic pronounciation " R") remains
    unchanged in all Community languages and is both singular and
    plural.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 44 -
5. INFORMATION AND AWARENESS-RAISING CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT PUBLIC OPINION
   Wide circulation of information to publicise activities         and
   campaigns to make public opinion and the media aware of         the
   problems of integrating disabled people.
   The Commission will contribute to raising the awareness of public
   opinion through the organisation of competitions, the presentation
   of annual prizes for pilot projects in the various fields relating
   to the     integration of disabled people, and through media
   act ivitles.
   The pilot projects rewarded with a prize will be presented at a
   conference/exhibit ion.
   The Commission will lend its support to the annual organisation at
   national level of information meetings for all participants in
   HELIOS II.
   Rate of Community financial contribution: up to 100%.
6. SPECIAL TRAINING MEASURES
   The Commission will organise training schemes in the Community for
   national and Community civil servants and for representatives of
   the networks and of organisations representing disabled people.
7. SPECIAL THEMES
    In implementing    the specific measures detailed above,       the
   participants in HELIOS II will devote special attention to:
        prevention and early assistance, with a view to preventing the
        appearance or development of an impairment, incapacity or
        disabiIity,
        difficulties encountered by the families of disabled people,
        disabled women and elderly disabled people,
        the economic and social integration of disabled women,
        training for professionals and volunteers      involved at the
        various stages of the integration process,
        persons with special responsibilities in respect of disabled
        children, adolescents and adults.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 45 -
8.  PROGRAMMES, ACTIVITIES   AND  INITIATIVES  CONCERNED  DIRECTLY WITH
    DISABLED PEOPLE
    Special steps will be taken to create a synergetic effect in the
    field of vocational rehabilitation and employment with the HORIZON
    initiative and, in respect of new technologies, with the TIDE
    initiative.
9.  STUDIES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
    Studies, consultancy services and technical assistance required for
    the drawing up of proposals or for providing technical support in
    the fields referred to in Article 3.
    Rate of Community financial contribution: up to 100%.
10. ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC ACTION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ACTIVITIES
    REFERRED TO IN ITEMS 2 - 5
    Cooperation with outside experts responsible for assisting the
    Commission in coordinating, guiding and evaluating the activities
    referred to in items 2 - 5 .
    Rate of Community financial contribution: up to 100%.
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 46 -
                      HELIOS II PROGRAMME  (1992-1996)
                             FINANCIAL STATEMENT
                       PART 1: FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
1. Title of the operation
   Community action for disabled people - HELIOS II programme
2. Budget headings concerned
   B3-4102 B8-3502 B3-1000
3. Legal basis
   The third action programme known as HELIOS II (1992-1996) sets out to
   develop a comprehensive and consistent policy at Community level in
   favour of the disabled, building on the experience gained under the
   previous programme (cf. Council Decision 231/88/EEC).
4. Description
       Organisation of four innovative Local Integration and Exchange
       Activities networks (AILE) in conjunction with the Member States,
       covering functional rehabilitation, school and university
       integration, employment and vocational training, and the promotion of
       independent living.
       Subsidies for external activities involving non-governmental
       organisations in cooperation, coordination and consultancy exercises
       at European level.
       Operational development of the HANDYNET computerised information
       system, covering the "technical aids" module and extending the scope
       to other modules (research bibliography, employment-training,
       creativity, sports and tourism); European dimension of the system.
   -   Organisation of special training measures in the Community for
       national and Community civil servants and for representatives of the
       networks and of the non-governmental organisations.
   -   Public awareness-raising work by way of a programme of annual awards
       for model projects in a variety of fields and specific activities in
       conjunction with the audio-visual media. Increased dissemination of
       information.
       Studies and other technical assistance measures, particularly with a
       view to preparing, monitoring and evaluating political initiatives.
   -    Coordination, organisation and evaluation of the above activities by
       outside experts.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 47 -
5.  Classification of expenditure or revenue
    5.1 NCE
    5.2 DA for B3-4102
         NDA for B8-3502   B3-1000
    5.3 Types of revenue: none
6.  Nature of expenditure or revenue
    -    100% expenditure (for activities connected with contracts for the
         provision of services).
    -    Subsidies for joint financing with other public and/or private sector
         sources.
    -    Study and consultancy contracts.
    -    Seminar, documentation, publication and secretariat expenditure.
    -    Travelling and subsistence expenditure and salaries for special
         training measures.
7.  Financial impact on intervention appropriations (Part B of the budget)
7.1 Indicate the way in which the total cost has been calculated
     (cf. Annexes 1-2)
          (1992-1996): 47.3 MECU
         46.3 MECU : B3-4102 B8-3502 (mini-budget)
           1 MECU : B3-1000
         Total  cost in 1992 : 8.55 MECU
         6.707  MECU : B3-4102
         1.693  MECU : B8-3502 (mini-budget)
         0.150  MECU : B3-1000
a)   Innovative local integration and exchange activities (AILE) networks in
     conjunction with the Member States
              2.1 MECU
b)   Public opinion awareness-raising
              0.5 MECU
 c)  HANDYNET system
              1.9 MECU
d)   Cooperation with non-governmental organisations
              3.15 MECU
 e)  Training measures
              0.3 MECU
 f)  Studies and technical assistance
              0.6 MECU
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 48 -
An increase of + 8% is earmarked for 1992 and an annual increase of 5% for
the period 1993-1996 for budget heading B3-4102 (and of 0.015 MECU for 1992
and 0.025 MECU per year for the period 1993-1996 for B3-1000).
1)   The highest percentage increase is for 1992, which is the lead year for
     the implementation of the new programme.
     More particularly, it is planned to implement gradually the activities of
     the four AILE networks and of the HANDYNET system. Financial aid for
     cooperation with the NGOs will be slightly reduced over 1991 (leaving out
     subsidies in 1991 for the new German Lander) so as not to create too wide
     a gap between aid applications and the inadequate budget resources. The
     budget available for dissemination of information at national level will
     be greatly increased, as will the money for new special training
     measures.
     Total increase for 1992: 0.515 MECU (+8%)
     Increase by activity sectors:
I. AILE networks
Rate of inflation                     +    82 000 ECU    + 4%
Gradual implementation
of activities                         -    32 000 ECU    - 1.6%
                 TOTAL:               +    50 000 ECU    +2.4%
II. HANDYNET:
Rate of inflation                     +    74 000 ECU    + 4%
Multilingual thesaurus,
documentation, implementation         -    24 000 ECU    - 1.3%
                 TOTAL:               +    50 000 ECU    + 2.7 %
 III. Cooperation with the EURAS (AIR)
 Rate of inflation:                   +   140 800 ECU    + 4%
Lower level of cooperation on
 the basis of annual themes
 (taking account of the new
 Lander in 1992)                      -   510 800 ECU     -14.5%
                  TOTAL:              -   370 000 ECU     -10.5%
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 49 -
IV. Public awareness activities
    and dissemination of information
                                    J
    Rate of inflation:               +   15 200 ECU      + 4%
                                      + 104 800 ECU      +28%
    Dissemination of information:
                                      + 120 000 ECU      +32%
                 TOTAL:
V.  Special training measures
    Training measures                 + 200 000 ECU
    Preparation and
    evaluation conferences            + 100 000 ECU
                 TOTAL :              + 300 000 ECU
VI. Other activities                  + 365 000 ECU      +55.3%
                 TOTAL:               + 515 000 ECU      + 8%
2)  Between 1993 and 1996, the annual increase (reduced in percentage terms
    to 5%) will enable the HANDYNET system to be extended to include the
    employment and training, sport, creativity and tourism modules and to
    take in a research bibliography. It will also make it possible to set up
    and extend external information networks with the AILEs and the funding
    of projects run in cooperation with the NGOs. Finally, special attention
    will be devoted to evaluation exercises concerning specific objectives
    and performance indicators.
    Total increase : + 5 % (average percentage increase per year)
7.2 Indicate the proportion of the "mini-budget" in the total cost.  Give
    details of how the calculation was made.
        personnel                          1 456 000 ECU
        publications/information
         infrastructure:
        direct                                40 000 ECU
         share                               157 000 ECU
        other                                 40 000 ECU
    What anti-fraud provisions are included in the proposal?
    Account and invoice audit.
 ---pagebreak---                                   -50 -
                      PART 2 : ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE
1.  Staff needed to carry out the programme:
    DG V    Present                      Additional staff requested
             3 A                                     1 A
             2 B                                      IB
             2 C                                     1 C
             1 national expert on secondment
These additional posts will have to come from resource programming for the
year in question or by internal redeployment.
2.  Administrative appropriations required
    p.m.    -   meetings of the HELIOS Advisory Committee for the social and
                economic integration of handicapped persons, HELIOS
                tripartite Liaison Group
                 (A 2510)
                meetings of the HELIOS working parties on school integration,
                employment, mobility and transport, HANDYNET-HELIOS technical
                coordination, evaluation and the HELIOS dialogue group.
                 (A 2500)
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 51 -
                    PART 3 : COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS
1. Aims and consistency with the financial planning
   The HELIOS II action programme covers a period of five years (1992-1996).
   The total amount of 47.3 MECU, including 46.3 MECU on B3-4102 and B8-
   3502, accords with the financial planning for the period.
2. Justification of the measure
   The 30 million disabled people (making up 10% of the population)
   constitute one of the most disadvantaged population groups in the
   Community. Within the economic context, and with the work situation
   becoming more and more competitive with the advent of the Single Market,
   not to mention the pace of technical change, the Community needs to take
   more and lasting measures to help the disabled.
3. Monitoring and evaluation arrangements
   The Advisory Committee and the HELIOS Liaison Group, comprising
   representatives of the Member State governments, the non-governmental
   organisations and the two sides of industry, meet in principle three
   times a year to monitor and evaluate the progress of the HELIOS II
   programme. An evaluation working party will be set up in agreement with
   the Liaison Group. An evaluation report will be drawn up by an external
   organisation on completion of the HELIOS II programme.
4. Public awareness-raising work with a programme of annual awards for model
   projects in a variety of fields and specific activities in conjunction
   with the audio-visual media. Dissemination of information at national
   level.
5. Organisation of special training measures in the Community for national
   and Community civil servants and for representatives of the non-
   governmental organisations and the networks.
1. Timetable
1) 1992 will be the pivotal year for HELIOS II. Implementation of the AILE
   network activities on the basis of annual themes, extension of the
   HANDYNET system and intensified cooperation with the NGOs on the basis of
   priority annual themes will start in earnest at the beginning of 1993.
   From 1992 on, special training measures will be organised for civil
   servants and representatives of the networks and of the NGOs.
2) Period 1993-1996:
   AILE network: the number of conferences and seminars will be increased by
    from 1993. The number of study trips and training courses will also
    increase. External networks will be set up from the beginning of 1993.
 ---pagebreak---                               - 52 -
Extension of the HANDYNET system
Creation of the employment/training module: beginning of 1993
Creation of the sport (beginning of 1992), creativity and tourism
module: beginning of 1993
Creation of the research bibliography: beginning of 1994
Creation of the multilingual thesaurus: beginning of 1992
Statistics: from the beginning of 1993
Cooperation with the NGOs on the basis of annual themes.
Development of the procedure for granting subsidies on the basis of
priority annual themes: from 1993.
Justification:
There are something like 30 million handicapped people in the Community,
representing 10% of the population and constituting one of the most
disadvantaged population groups. Within the economic context, and with
the work situation becoming more and more competitive with the advent of
the Single Market, not to mention the pace of technical change, the
Community needs to take more and lasting measures to help the disabled.
The performance indicators are as follows:
-   The AILE networks:
    The activities of the four AILE networks concern the exchange of
    information and experience between model projects of an innovative
    nature and are organised on the basis of priority annual themes. The
    specific objective is for each AILE to take an active part during the
    programme in preparing study trips, training courses, seminars and
    the annual conference on a priority annual theme, and for all the
    AILEs to take part each year in at least one annual conference. It is
    also planned to invite at least each external network partner to an
    AILE network activity during the programme.
    HANDYNET:
    The specific objective is to enable each disabled person or his or
    her organisation in the Community to have access during the programme
    to the HANDYNET system to obtain information free of charge in one of
    the official languages on all types of technical aids available on
    the European market.
    The plan is also to set up an operational data base accessible to
     handicapped people on employment and training, sport, creativity and
     tourism and a research bibliography.
 ---pagebreak---                                   53 -
   -   Cooperation with the NGOs: It was thought appropriate to increase the
       budget for cooperation with the European NGOs in view of the
       substantial rise in the number of activities and initiatives of an
       innovative nature at Community level in the various HELIOS programme
       priority fields. The specific objective is to promote, on the basis
       of AIR annual themes, external cooperation activities in each major
       handicap type or integration problem sector.
   -   Special training measures: The specific objective is for civil
       servants and representatives of the EURAS and of the networks to be
       enabled to take part each year in a special training measure, i.e. a
       4-6 week experience placement in a different Member State.
3. Monitoring and evaluation arrangements
   The Advisory Committee and the HELIOS Liaison Group, comprising
   representatives of the Member State governments, the non-governmental
   organisations and the two sides of industry, meet in principle three
   times a year to monitor and evaluate the progress of the HELIOS II
   programme. Moreover, a dialogue group comprising representatives of the
   non-gouvernemental organisations meet in principle twice a year. An
   evaluation working party will be set up, and an evaluation report will be
   produced by an external organisation on completion of the HELIOS II
   programme.
   The evaluation working party will be asked to take an annual look at the
   progress made on the specific objectives and at the performance
   indicators as mentioned under point 2 "Justification".
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                                                     Annex 1
                                                   Likely schedule of poyments os compored with commitments:
B3-4102
             APPROPRIATIONS                                                            PAYMENTS
                                                          1991           1992          1993            1994   1995  1996
 1 . Comnitments contracted
     p r i o r to 1991 for payment
     from new payment appropriations                      2.5           0.563          0.2            0.137
2. Committment appropriations
     deferred") from 1990
3. 1991 appropriations                     6.207          3.507         2.4            0.3
4. 1992 appropriations                     6.695                        5.5            1.0            0.163
             TOTAL                                        6.007         8.463          7.8            6.9    7.359  7.907
5. 1993 appropriations                     7.059           -                           6.3            0.6    0.159          4>
6. 1994 appropriations                     7.407           -                                          6.0    1.0    0.407
7. 1995 appropriations                     7.777           -                                                 6.2    1.0
8. 1996 appropriations                      8.175                                                                   6.5
(1)         Or reconstituted, for payment from new payment appropriations
B8-3502                                    CA             1.693         1.837          1.9            2      2.1    2.2
                                           PA             1.693         1.837          1.9            2      2.1    2.2
B3-1000                                    CA            0.135          0.150          0.175          0.2    0.225  0.25
                                           PA            0.135          0.150          0.175          0.2    0.225  0.25
TOTAL
B3-4102                 Commitment appropriations        8.035          8.682          9.134          9.607  10.102 10.625
B8-3502
B3-1000                 Payment appropriations           7.835          10.45          9.875          9.1     9.684 10.357
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                                                                                          ANNEX 2
                                                        PROGRESSION OF THE HELIOS II PROGRAMME ANO OF THE HANOYNET SYSTEM,  1992-1996
                                                      1991            1992          1993           1994           1993             1996      TOTAL
                                    (for     InformotIon)                                                                                    1992-1996
 I -   Local Integration and                          2 0S0 000      2 100 000      2 213 000      2 331 000      2 434 000       2 584 000  11 682 000
       exchange
       activities network»
       (A.I.L.E)
 II -  Public        opinion       awartnut-            380 000         532 000       559 000        587 000        616 COO          648 000 2 942 000
       raiting
 III - HANOYNET system                                1 850 000      1 900 000      1 995 000      2 095 000      2 200 000       2 310 000  10 500 000
 IV -  C o o p é r a t i o n w i t h the N G O e      3 520 000      3 150 000      3 317 000      3 491 000      3 674 000       3 866 000  17 498 000
       on i n n o v a t i v e r e h o b i I i a t Ion
       action* (A.I.R)
V -    Special         training      measure*                           400 000       420 000        441 000        463 000          488 000  2 2 12 000
VI -   Studies and           technical                  235 000         600 000       630 000        662 000        695 000          729 000  3 316 000
       ass I stance
                                                      8 035 000      8 682 000      9 134 000       9 607 000    10 102 000      10 625 000  48 150 000
of which
       Chapter         83-4102 B8-3502                7 500 000      8 532 000      8 959 000       9 407 000     9 877 000      10 375 000  47 150 000
                                    mlnI-budget
       Chapter         83-1000                          133 000         150 000       175 000         200 000       225 000          250 000  1 000 000
       Chapter 83-4102
       (New German Lander)                              400 000
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 56 -
                              SME IMPACT STATEMENT
                             TITLE OF THE PROPOSAL:
                        Draft Community action programme
                               for disabled people
                              HELIOS II. 1992-96
Reference number of document:V/1196/91
The proposal ;
1.   The aim of the HELIOS Community action programme is to promote
     integration in the field of the education, occupational and economic
     integration and the independent lifestyle of handicapped people, more
     particularly by the following activities:
     To coordinate, undertake and stimulate exchanges of experience and
     information at Community level.
     To pursue, in the framework of the HANDYNET computerized information and
     documentation system, the collection, updating, exchange and
     dissemination of information assembled in the Member States on technical
     aids for the disabled.
     The HANDYNET system will be extended to cover training, employment,
     tourism and leisure pursuits.
     Cooperation with the European non-governmental organizations (EURAS).
As regards the subsidiarity principle, the HELIOS programme is limited to
measures of a European dimension, more particularly exchanges of experience
and information, and the development of collection and information software
at Community level in the nine Community languages.
 Impact on business:
2.   Who will be affected by the proposal?
     The HELIOS II programme has no direct effect on the various business
     sectors. However, the HANDYNET system, which aims to make the European
     market for technical aids more transparent, will have an effect on the
      technical aids sector, which is currently dominated in all the Member
     States by a few national undertakings.
     The technical aids for the handicapped sector is mainly made up of small
      and medium-sized businesses.
     Most of the firms in the technical aids sector are to be found in the
     north of the Community.
 3.  Undertakings will have to take no particular measures to comply with the
     proposa I.
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 57 -
4. What economic effects is the proposal likely to have?
   The action programme sets out to promote employment prospects for the
   handicapped by developing a general Community policy based on best
   experience and practices in the Member States in the field of economic
   integration, training and occupâtional rehabilitation.
   No direct effects on investment, the creation of new businesses or the
   competitive position of businesses.
5. The proposal contains no specific measures for small and medium-sized
   businesses.
6. Consultation:
   The government representatives, the non-governmental organizations
   representing the handicapped and the two sides of industry represented on
   the HELIOS Liaison Group have been consulted on the proposal.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                     ISSN 0254-1475
                                                             COM (91) 350 final
                                                     DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                             05
                               Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-450-EN-C
                                                            ISBN 92-77-76626-3
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