Reinforcing the commitment to ensuring persons with disabilities of their rights and a better quality of life

The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU has urged Member States to reinforce their “commitment in relation to the rights of persons with disabilities” and to join the European Strategy approved in March. The Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security believes that it “will be a challenge, but also an opportunity”, and called for an “integrated approach” to this issue.

At the High-Level Conference on the European Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Ana Mendes Godinho recalled the “obligation [of the 27] to implement a clear agenda” for the rights of persons with disabilities and to move swiftly from “words to actions”. The Minister stressed that “the Portuguese Presidency will do everything in its power to see this ambition become a reality”.

This strategy, adopted by the European Commission for the period up to 2030, is intended to ensure that all persons with disabilities in Europe can enjoy their rights, take part in society and in the economy under equal conditions and no longer be the subject of discrimination. Its implementation is aimed at a fairer, more cohesive, supportive, progressive and equal EU, thus contributing to the achievement of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan.

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The European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, who took part in the meeting by video conference, reiterated the importance of the role of accessibility and an independent life, as well as the importance of governance and monitoring.

At the close of the first day of business, the Portuguese Secretary of State for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Ana Sofia Antunes, recognised the efforts that have been made to correct the asymmetries and inequalities currently existing. “I can safely say that, based on the reflections and opinions voiced, we will be able to adopt conclusions that will allow us to build a more social Europe, one focused on constructive dialogue between all the Member States”, she said.

Ana Sofia Antunes undertook the task of proposing and presenting Conclusions to the Ministers of Employment, Social Policy and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) in June, in order to reach a political commitment from the 27 for the implementation and fulfilment of the European Strategy.

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Real measures for persons with disabilities

The plenary sessions on the first of two days of business made it possible to have in-depth, joint reflection on the development of inclusion policies for persons with disabilities and their future development in the European framework.

On physical accessibility and accessibility to goods and services as a means of full participation in society, there was mention of the launch in 2022 of a European resource centre, AccessibleEU, to contribute to the consistency of accessibility policies and facilitating access to the relevant expertise in that area. The European Commission is to begin preparations for setting up the AccessibleEU centre under the framework of the recently created Disability Platform.

At another session, the subject of independent life, deinstitutionalisation and support services were discussed, essential to the process of self-determination for persons with disabilities. The Commission is expected to have formulated recommendations for the Member States to introduce improvements in terms of autonomy and inclusion in the community by 2023, in order to allow persons with disabilities to live in affordable housing and with support from community networks or to continue living at home, including personal assistance schemes.

As to employment and integration into the labour market, the Commission will present a package for improving the results of these measures for persons with disabilities in 2022, in conjunction with the European network of Public Employment Services, social partners and non-governmental organisations.