High-Level Conference on the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The High-Level Conference on the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to be organised as part of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will be held on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 April. Taking part in the conference will be European and civil society institutions, politicians with responsibilities for the area and persons with disabilities.
The meeting will be chaired by the Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, and the Secretary of State for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Ana Sofia Nunes.
The purpose of the conference is to discuss the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, focusing on those issues that most affect disabled persons in their daily lives, such as accessibility, independent living, de-institutionalisation, community-based and person-centred social services, employment and inclusive education.
On the morning of 19 April, the online conference will begin at 08h00 and end at 15h20 (Lisbon time). The morning’s work will begin with a contribution by the European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli i, followed by plenary sessions on accessibility, independent living, employment and inclusive education.
On Tuesday, 20 April, the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa i, will chair the opening session of the meeting of the Ministers of the European Union Member States responsible for the area of disability.
This session will serve to give Ministers the opportunity to make their contributions and present their ambitions for the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which will be part of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. The discussions will begin at 09h00 and end at 12h15 (Lisbon time).
The conference will feature interpretation in the following languages: Portuguese, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, as well as Portuguese Sign Language. It will also be subtitled in English.
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