Debate: Towards equal rights for persons with disabilities
Date: MONDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2022
Speaker: Helena Dalli
Language: EN

I welcome our common perspectives and commitment. This is the message we will send to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the context of its ongoing review of the EU’s implementation of the Convention. The questions the Parliament raises with this report are fundamental. I welcome the opinions provided by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, the Committee on Petitions and the Committee on Culture and Education. Living independently while being included in the community is the cornerstone of equal participation and of full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Next year, the Commission will present guidance on deinstitutionalisation and independent living, followed in 2024 by a framework of excellence for social services for persons with disabilities. These two initiatives go hand in hand, as true inclusion in the community can only happen if quality, affordable and accessible local services are available. Accessibility is another key element, as we heard earlier today, for independent living, as it enables persons with disabilities to move freely, access information and enjoy the opportunities their communities offer, including in employment, education, culture, sport and leisure, without forgetting, of course, access to healthcare. In this spirit, with the AccessibleEU initiative, the Commission will offer support to Member States to implement accessibility legislation and to share and develop good practices. Another important initiative mentioned in your report is the EU Disability Card. The Commission work programme for next year refers to our intention to put forward a legislative proposal. An impact assessment will help determine the scope of the card, as well as the type of legal instrument to put it into practice. We have high ambitions, but will need to be mindful of competences, as set out in our Treaties. The Commission intends to make progress on the Equal Treatment Directive beyond employment. I am glad to note that Parliament is on the same page in this respect. Both reasonable accommodation and non-discriminatory access are necessary to achieve equal treatment of persons with disabilities. Similarly, I hope we can continue to support and facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities in the upcoming European elections in 2024, in order to advance on the accessibility of electoral information and voting mechanisms, as well as on the participation of persons with disabilities.  Additionally, persons with disabilities have a right to be elected on an equal basis with others, and this Parliament should represent the EU in all its diversity. Although bound by Member States’ competences in the organisation of elections, I believe we can launch a strong message as EU institutions on this democratic matter. Political participation is, however, just part of the wider picture to ensure that broader legal rights in terms of legal capacity, decision making and access to justice are ensured for persons with disabilities. The participation of persons with disabilities in the design and implementation of programmes for disaster risk reduction needs to be strengthened to make preparedness plans and response efforts more accessible. It is clear that much work remains to be done. Thank you for the opportunity to open this important point, and I look forward to the discussion.