Edf Annual Report 2010

European Disability Forum | Annual Report 2010 - 1

Annual Report 2010

EUROPEANDISABILITYFORUM

TABLE OF CONTENTSp 4 Who are we?p 6 Membersp 8 Structurep 10 Executive and Board Membersp 12 Secretariatp 14 Finances

p 15 EDF’s workp 18 Nothing about us without usp 20 United Nations Conventionp 22 Europe 2020p 24 Disability strategyp 26 Transportp 28 Equal access to goods and servicesp 30 Womenp 32 Youth

p 33 Easy to read

This publication is also available in alternative formats upon request.

This publication is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS (2007-2013)

Editorial and publication coordination:Aurélien DaydéGraphic design: Aurore de Boncourt

6 - European Disability Forum | Annual Report 2010

EDF MEMBERS: A WIDE NETWORk

54 FULL mEmBERS 29 national councils• Austria Austrian National Council of Disabled Persons (öAR)• Belgium Belgian Disability Forum (BDF)• Bulgaria National Council of People with Disabilities in Bulgaria (NCDPB)• Cyprus Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of the Disabled (CCOD) • Czech Republic Czech National Disability Council (CNDC)• Denmark Disabled Peoples Organisations Denmark (DH)• Germany German Disability Council (DBR)• Estonia The Estonian Chamber of Disabled People (EPIK)• Finland Finnish Disability Forum (FDF)• France French Council of Disabled People for European Affairs (CFHE)• Greece National Confederation of Disabled People (ESAEA)• Hungary National Council of Federations of People with Disabilities (FESZT)• Iceland The Organisation of Disabled in Iceland (öBI)• Ireland People with disabilities in Ireland Ltd (PWDI)• Italy Italian Disability Forum (FID)• Latvia The Latvian Umbrella Body for Disability Organisations (SUSTENTO)• Lithuania Lithuanian National Forum of the Disabled (LNF)• Luxembourg Luxembourg National Disability Council (Info Handicap)• malta Malta Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disability (MFOPD)• Netherlands National Disability Council of the Netherlands (VGPN)• Norway National Disability Council of Norway (FFO)• Poland Polish Disability Forum (PDF)• Portugal National Confederation of Organisations of Disabled People (CNOD)• Romania National Disability Council (CNDR)• Slovakia Slovak Disability Council (NROZP)• Slovenia Nacionalni svet invalidskih organizacij Slovenije (NSIOS)• Spain Comité Español de Representantes de Personas con Discapacidad (CERMI)• Sweden The Swedish Disability Federation (HSO)• United Kingdom and Northern Ireland UK Coalition for Disability Rights in Europe (UKCDRE)

25 European NGOS• Action Européenne des Handicapés (AEH)• Autism-Europe• Brain Injured & Families - European Confederation (BIF-EC)• Cerebral Palsy – European Communities Association (CP-ECA)• Disabled Peoples’ International Europe (DPI-Europe)• DEBRA-International• European Alliance of Muscular Dystrophy Association (EAMDA)• European Association of Cochlear Implant Users (EURO-CIU)• European Blind Union (EBU/Union européenne des Aveugles (UEA)• European Cooperation in Anthroposophical Curative Education and Social Therapy (ECCE)• European Deafblind Network (EDbN)• European Deafblind Union (EDBU) • European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA)• European Dyslexia Association (EDA)• European Federation of Hard of Hearing (EFHOH)


• European Federation of Parents of Hearing Impaired Children (FEPEDA)• European Kidney Patients’ Association (CEAPIR)• European League of Stuttering Associations (ELSA)• European Network of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP)• European Network on Independent Living (ENIL)• European Union of the Deaf (EUD)• Inclusion Europe• International Federation of Persons with Physical Disability (FIMITIC)• International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IF)• Retina Europe

15 ORDINARY mEmBER NGOS• Association Internationale Aphasie (AIA)• Association de Recherche et de Formation sur l’Insertion en Europe (ARFIE)• Confederation of European Firms Initiatives and Cooperatives for Psychically Disabled People (CEFEC)• Design for All Europe (EIDD)• Eucrea International (EUCREA)• European Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA)• European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness (EUFAMI)• European Haemophilia Consortium (EHC)• European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP)• European Paralympic Committee (EPC)• European Parkinson Disease Association (EPDA)• European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE)• Mental Health Europe-Santé Mentale Europe (MHE-SME)• Rehabilitation International – Europe (RI-Europe)• Workability Europe (WE)

3 OBSERvER mEmBERS• Albanian National Council of Disabled People (ANCDP) • National Council of Disability Organisations of FYROM (NSIOM) • National Organisation of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia (NOOIS)

38 ASSOCIATE mEmBERS• Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF) • Albanian Disabled People Association (ADPA) • Alliance of Associations of the Invalid Organisations of Macedonia (AION) • Alliance of Organisations of Disabled People in Slovakia (AOZPO) • Associazione Famiglie Audiolesi (AFA) • Associazione Nazionale Mutilati ed Invalidi Civili (ANMIC) • Associazione per il Tempo Libero dei Disabili (ATHLa ONLUS) • CBM EU Liaison Office • Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union (COFACE) • Croatian Union of Physically Disabled Person Associations (CUPDPA) • Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) • Ente Nazionale per la protezione e l’assistenza dei Sordi (ENS) • Epilepsie Euroservices • Equality and Human Rights Commission • European Academy of Yuste Foundation • European Federation of Hereditary Ataxias (EURO-ATAXIA) • European Ostomy Association (EOA) • Euro Psy Rehabilitation • European Spinal Cord Injury Federation (ESCIF) • Fundación ONCE • Gelijke Rechten voor iedere Persoon met een handicap (GRIP) • The Guide Dog for the Blind Association (GDBA) • Hilfsgemeinschaft der Blinden und Sehschwachen österreichs (HBSO) • Hungarian Association with Persons with a Mental Handicap (EFOESZ) • Hungarian Disability Forum (HDF) • Inclusion Scotland • International Association for Handicapped Divers (IAHD) • International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People (IFHOHYP) • Landmine Survivors Initiatives Bosnia and Herzegovina (LSNBIH) • Leonard Cheshire Disability • Le Ricochet • National Commission Persons with Disability (NCPD) • Nordic Federation for associations of Disabled/ Nordiska Handikapp Förbundet (NHF) • Plain-Pied asbl • Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) • Royal National Institute for the Deaf and hard of hearing people (RNID) • Swedish Thalidomide Society (FfdN) • Union of Associations of Persons with Disabilities in Croatia (SOIH) • Union of Disabled People in Bulgaria (UDPB)


AN INCLUSIvE ORGANISATION

STRUCTURE


OBSERVER MEMBERS ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

EDF SECRETARIAT ADVISORY BODIES

EUROPEAN DISABILITY MOvEMENT

FULL & ORDINARY MEMBERS

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

elects every 4 years

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

elects every 4 years

PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


EXECUTIvE & BOARD MEMBERS

EXECUTIvE COMMITTEE

BOARD MEMBERS

Erzsebet Földesi | VICE PRESIDENT FESTZT Hungary

Donata Vivanti | VICE PRESIDENTAutisme Europe

Pekka Tuominen | TREASURERFDF Finland

Yannis Vardakastanis | PRESIDENT NCPD Greece

Ana Peláez | CERMI Spain

John Patrick Clarke | EDSA

Miguel Angel Garcia Ocazi| FIMITIC

Giampero Griffo| FID Italy

Niels Anton Svendsen | BIF

Satü Jarviö | CP-ECA

Andrej Szalach| PDF Poland

Krasimir Kocev| NCDPB Bulgaria

Josée Van Remoortel | MHE

Branislav Mamojka| NROZP Slovakia

Gunta Ancazi| SUSTENTO Latvia


Rodolfo Cattani | SECRETARYEBU

Alain Faure | CFHE France

Ingrid Körner | Inclusion Europe

Erik Olsen | ENUSP

Stig Langvad | DH Denmark

Branislav Mamojka| NROZP Slovakia

Gisèle Marlièree| BDF Belgium

Pierre Mertens| IF

Thoomas Mihkelson | EPIK Estonia

Richard Rieser | UKCDREUK & Northen Ireland

Karin Brünger | EDA

Klaus Lachwitz | DBR Germany

John Evans| ENIL

Ingemar Färm | HSO Sweden

Athena Frangoulie| CEFEC

Jean- Luc Simone| DPI


Carlotta Besozzizi| Director

Janina Arsenjeva | Policy and European Parliamentary Officer

Muriel DaVia | Finance Officer

Coralia Catana| Internal Communication and Campaign Officer

SECRETARIAT

Maria Nyman | Policy Officer

Ewa Pawlowska | Internal Communication Officer

Gabor Petri | Social Policy Assistant

Nadège Riche | Policy Officer

Ann Vervaecke | Events Organiser

35 square de Meeus1000 Brussels - BelgiumTel +32 2 282 46 00 Fax +32 2 282 46 [email protected]

New address !

EDF appointed Javier Guemes as Acting Director for 2011 !


Muriel DaVia | Finance Officer

Aurélien Daydé | Communication and media officer

Simona Giarratano | Policy Officer

Delphine Le Mairee| Policy Assistant

Deirdre Lennon | Communication Assistant

Virginie Niyonzima | Assistant to the Director

Ann Vervaecke | Events Organiser

Simona GiarratanoDelphine Le MaireDeirdre LennonVirginie NiyonzimaEwa Pawlowska

WelcomeAsk AndersonCoralia CatanaGabor Petri

Good bye


FINANCES

INCOME

Running costs European Comission Funding 950 000 €

Member’s Contribution 300 000 €

Funding Related to Special Projects 400 000 €

TOTAL 1 650 000 €

OUTCOME

Running costs 1 250 000 €

Speaking with one voice: Deciding Together 300 000 €

Working in Brussels at the Secretariat 750 000 €

Policy work expertise all over Europe 110 000 €

Disability awareness everywhere 50 000 €

Special projects 400 000 €

TOTAL 1 650 000 €


2010EDF’s WORk less talk, more action


A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENTIn 2010, the European disability movement made great achievements: First, the UN Convention has finally been concluded by the EU under the Belgian Presidency: this is a landmark victory for the whole disability movement. Such an achievement is a collective success and will clearly have a positive impact on our lives as European citizens. Then, we presented the Disability Pact to all key decision makers, and made sure the European Commission answered with a strong disability strategy 2010 - 2020. Following the framework of the Disability Pact is the best way for the EU Institutions to implement the UN Convention in Europe. However, the success and effectiveness of these will greatly depend on how the aftermath of the late economic crises is dealt with. For years we have been fighting for a better accessibility in transport. After the adoption of the regulation on air passengers back in 2006, we are proud to announce the adoption of the new bus and boat passenger’s regulation. This final step will significantly improve the lives of most of persons with disabilities travelling through the EU. We still have to make sure disability is also a priority in the Europe 2020 strategy. And that the EU institutions will include us in all the relevant decision-making processes, especially when it comes to the implementation of the UN Convention.

Read on and find out more about how the disability movement challenges the status quo and fights for a society that includes us, a society that includes everyone.

Yannis vardakastanis


NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US p 18 UNITED NATIONS CONvENTION p 20 EUROPE 2020 p 22 DISABILITY STRATEGY p 24 TRANSPORT p 26

EQUAL EQUAL ACCESS TO GOODS AND SERvICES p 28 WOMEN p 30 YOUTH p 32


NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT USOur meetings in 2010 helped to keep disability rights at the top of the European agenda.

IN 2010, WE MET FACE TO FACE WITH kEY DECISION MAkERS

TO MAkE SURE DISABILITY IS ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES.

WE WANT disability to be included in all policies.

WE STILL WANT THE EU TO SET UP• The State of the Union on Disability• The European Parliament of persons with disabilities

2010 • EDF’S WORK


WE WORkED WITH kEY INSTITUTIONS

European Commission - European Parliament - European Economic and Social Committee - Council of the EU - European Council - Council of Europe - United Nations - International Labour Organisation - Fundamental Rights Agency

WE MET WITH

• HERmAN vAN ROmPUY President of the European Council• JERzY BUzEK President of the European Parliament• vIvIANE REDING Vice-President of the European Commission; Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship• LáSzLó ANDOR Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion• ANDRIS PIEBALGS Commissioner for Development• NIKIFOROS DIAmANDOUROS European Ombudsman• EmIL BOC Prime Minister of Romania• HER mAJESTY QUEEN SOFíA OF SPAIN• TRINIDAD JIméNEz Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation• mIHAIL SEITAN Romanian Minister of Social Protection


UNITED NATIONS CONvENTIONon the rights of persons with disabilities

The first international treaty specifically aimed at improving the lives of 650 million persons with disabilities worldwide.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE EU HAS jOINED

AN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONvENTION.

Since the adoption of the Convention by the United Nations in 2006, our main goal has been to ensure that the EU fulfils its obligations. This accession happened at the end of 2010, making the protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities part of EU law.

* A landmark achievement



WHAT WE ACHIEvED IN 2010

EDF MADE SURETHAT THE EU KEPT DISABILITY HIGH ON ITS AGENDA:• at the public hearing on the accession of the EU to the Convention with the European Parliament at the Subcommittee on Human Rights• at the Informal meeting of EU Ministers on disability in Zaragoza, Spain with the members States• at the Disability Action Plan Co-ordination Forum (CAHPAH) with the Council of Europe

EDF ORGANISED• the symposium on reasonable accommodation at the workplace with European Foundation Centre• the conference: the UN Convention – A European perspectivewith the University of maastricht• the work forum on the mechanisms that need to be established to make the rights protected by the Convention a reality for all with the Belgian Presidency and the European Commission

EDF IS BUILDING A WORLD WIDE NETWORkTHE INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY ALLIANCE (IDA)• a network of global and regional organisations of persons with disabilities• to promote the effective implementation of the UN Convention

www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org

WHAT WE WANT FROM THE EU

• a strong focal point in the European Commission

• the existing High Level Group to evolve into a Disability Committee including persons with disabilities

• an independent European monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation of the Convention

• the conclusion of the Optional Protocol


EUROPE 2020Disability is a cross cutting issue

In 2010, the European institutions laid out the steps needed towards smart, sustainable and inclusive, economic growth for the next 10 years–called the Europe 2020 strategy. EDF has been working hard to ensure that disability is mainstreamed amongst the policies proposed by this new strategy.

WE BELIEvE that the strategy’s objectives of

• reducing poverty by at least 20 million • reaching an employment rate target of 75%• reducing the share of early school leavers to less than 10%

can only be reached if persons with disabilities who represent approximately 16% of the population in Europe, are considered accordingly. In other words, Member States must recognise the economic potential of workers with disabilities.

In 2010 Member States agreed upon common employment targets to achieve the overall goal of 75% yet failing to integrate a disability perspective.

WE PRODUCED a road map containing advice and offering to support the Europe 2020 strategy: THE DISABILITY PACT.



EDUCATIONTHE RIGHT TO LEARN

• 18% of all Europeans go to University

• 9% of Europeans with disabilities go to University

• We have two times less chance of studying

We want education to be inclusive to ensure equal opportunities.

EMPLOYMENTTHE RIGHT TO WORK

• 69% of all Europeans have a job

• 29 % of Europeans with disabilities have a job

• We are more than twice as less likely to find a job.

POvERTYFIGHTING EXCLUSION

• 62% of Europeans with disabilities are among the poorest persons in Europe: our income is significantly lower.

We want adequate social protection to be provided to persons with disabilities who are, on average, at much higher risk of being socially excluded and living in poverty.

TECHNOLOGYACCESS TO INFORMATION

• 95% of public websites are not accessible.

The Digital Agenda for Europe sets out the framework for the development of our information society for the next decade. We have put our efforts into incorporating the accessibility requirements of persons with disabilities for a future European legislation regarding the accessibility of websites.

Did you know that...?

EDF AND RESEARCHResearch and innovation benefits all groups in society, including persons with disabilities. The disability movement and specialised academics are working together towards an agenda for disability research in Europe. www.eurade.eu

The European Commission has promised to implement seven flagships initiatives in the framework of the Europe 2020 strategy.

EDF WANTS disability to be included in all relevant flagships; education, employment, poverty, acces to information and research.


DISABILITY STRATEGYfor the next 10 years

We have proposed the necessary initiatives to have the maximum impact for 80 million persons with disabilities in Europe:

THE DISABILITY PACT: A COMPREHENSIvE FRAMEWORk

FOR AN EFFECTIvE EUROPEAN DISABILITY POLICY

FOR THE FORTHCOMING DECADE.

WE BELIEvE that the mainstreaming of disability in general policy frameworks is the most cost-effective way to create an inclusive society.



PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WELCOMES THE LIST OF ACTIONS

ACCESSIBILITY, PARTICIPATION,

EQUALITY, EmPLOYmENT,

EDUCATION AND TRAINING, SOCIAL PROTECTION,

HEALTH, DEINSTITUTIONALISATION

AND ExTERNAL ACTION.

THE EU NEEDS TO IMPROvE

• the revision of European legislation; ensuring it complies with the UN Convention• the social inclusion of persons with disabilities at European and National level• cooperation between the EU institutions: the European Parliament and the Council of the EU should react to the strategy and support a decision allocating responsibility to all EU institutions and Member States• the use of its funds to promote community living.

THE RESULTSThe European Commission presented the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020.


TRANSPORTshould be accessible to allThe Treaty of the European Union ensures freedom of movement for all citizens. Yet, plenty of barriers still prevent persons with disabilities from using transport networks.

WE ARE WORkING TO IMPROvE OUR PLANE, BUS, TRAIN,

BOAT, TAXI AND CAR jOURNEYS.



WHAT WE ACHIEvED IN 2010

RAILEDF worked together with the International Union of Railways and the European Commission on the implementation of the regulation on rail passenger rights in order to ensure equal opportunities for rail passengers with disabilities.

AIR PASSENGERSDiscrimination towards passengers with disabilities still occurs despite strong legislation. EDF addressed the main difficulties through its contribution to the consultation of the European Commission on the implementation of the regulation on the rights of air passengers. We contributed to all meetings with key stakeholders at European level. Most importantly, we provided ongoing support to members who were victims of discrimination.

BOAT AND BUS PASSENGERSWe actively lobbied the European Commission to make sure the new bus and boat passenger’s regulations fully includes a disability perspective.A positive maritime passenger law has been adopted.A proposal for a regulation on the rights on bus and coach passenger has been proposed.

TAXIEDF teamed up with the International road Union to initiate a campaign to train taxi drivers’ awareness of disability to accomodate customers with special needs.

CAREDF worked on increasing the use of the ‘disability parking card’ across the EU.


EQUAL ACCESSTO GOODS AND SERvICESin the European UnionThe Internal Market must be accessible to disabled people. By taking into consideration the needs of users with disabilities, legislation supported by standardisation encourages equal access and avoids exclusion.

Standards impact on the daily lives of persons with disabilities, in access to urban environments, information and communication technologies and in improving the design of consumer products.

A STRONG EUROPEAN ACCESSIBILITY ACT PLANNED

FOR 2012 WILL SET STANDARDS. IT IS ONE OF THE kEY

SOLUTIONS TO EQUAL ACCESS.

WE ALSO FOCUSED on access to information technologies.



kEY PARTNERS

ANECthe European Consumer Voice in Standardisation

AGEAGE Platform Europe is a European network representing people aged 50+ within the EU

ACCESS CITY AWARD

Based on EDF members’ idea, the European Commission rewarded those cities which made the most efforts on accessibility. The Spanish city of Avila won the European Award for Accessible Cities 2010.

FREEDOM OF MOvEMENT

Are you free enough?The disability movement decided to focus on freedom of movement in 2011.We urge the EU to adopt:

• a strong European Accessibility Act• the European Mobility Card


WOMENWe work to prevent violence against women and girls with disabilities.

• With the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: EDF worked together with the European Women’s Lobby to submit a series of amendments. The priority was to include forced abortion and forced sterilization as acts of violence.

• For a stronger EU Strategy: 21 September 2010: the European Commission releases the Strategy towards equality between women and men 2010-2015.

kEY PARTNERSHIPSEDF is member of EWL.



FORCED STERILISATION

“When I realised that my uterus

was removed at the age of 15

I felt like less of a woman”

Many testimonies of women with disabilities, primarily women with intellectual impairments or psychosocial disabilities show a hidden reality for many girls and young women across Europe. They are still being deprived of their right to found a family and to their bodily integrity.

Did you know that...?

• 16% of women have a disability in Europe.

DISCRIMINATION

Women with

disabilities

face multiple

forms of

discrimination;

they are at the intersection of gender and disability, which causes even more disadvantages and discrimination.


YOUTHActivists 2.0

IN 2010, EDF FOCUSED ON IMPROvING THE PARTICIPATION OF

YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN THE MOvEMENT.

WE WANT TO IMPROvE THE PARTICIPATION of the new generation in the European disability movement to continue the fight against discrimination on the basis of disability.

EDF YOUTH COMMITTEE LEAD A EUROPEAN SURvEY, produced expert analysis and issued its recommendations on how to engage young persons with disabilities and build their capacities in order to better involve them in the activities of EDF and its member organisations.

WE ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE to get involved in the European disability movement and become the next generation to take on the fight against discrimination.

kEY-DATEOctober 2010: EDF Board adopts the EDF Youth Committee Recommendations in order to increase the participation of young persons with disabilities in Disabled People Organisations



easy to readEasy-to-read is one of the accessible information formats along with large print, Braille and audio recordings. It is mostly used by people with intellectual disabilities, as well as other groups like older people and speakers of other languages. Sentences are short and simple, using words which are easy to understand. The design is clear and avoids complicated page settings.


easy to read

p 4/5EDFThe European Disability Forum represents all people with disabilities living in Europe.To make it shorter we use the letters EDFwhen we speak about the European Disability Forum.

EDF was created by people with disabilitiesto defend the rights of people with disabilities.

EDF has existed since 1996.EDF is the link between disabled peopleand people that make laws.

EDF believes that a fair society includes disabled people.

p 6/7EDF mEmBERSEDF has many members.These are also organisations.Some of them are big and some are small.

Some member organisations represent a certain type of disability.

On page 6 there is a list of EDF members.On page 10 and 11 you will find pictures of the group of peoplethat take decisions for the EDF.The address and the people working in the secretariat are listed on page 12 and 13.


p 14FINANCESIn 2010, EDF spent as much money as it received.The money came from the European Commission and the members.EDF also received some money for special projects.

The money was spent on meetings and many other activities organised by EDF.

p 162010In 2010 EDF focused on some topics.Here is what E h important people and told them thisEDF also worked with other international organisations .


easy to read

p 20/21THE UNITED NATIONS CONvENTIONThe United Nations is a big, international organisation.It suggests laws for countries across the world.United Nations wrote a law for persons with disabilitiesIt is called the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In 2010, the countries of the European Union agreed to use this law.This is an important step.EDF wants to make sure that they keep this promise.

In 2010 EDF organised many meetingsTo deliver and remind people of this new law, And help people understand the new law.

The International Disability Alliance, in short IDA,Is like the EDF but for all the countries across the globeThe IDA watches if each country in the world follows the Convention.EDF helped to create this organisation.


p 22/23EUROPE 2020For the European strategy in the next 10 years.The EU has a new guide for laws called Europe 2020.it sets out new goals for the year 2020.These new ideas must include persons with disabilities.

This is why EDF wrote a textSuggesting how to add a disability perspective to this new guide.It is called The Disability Pact.

Here are some facts:Persons with disabilities do not have the same chances as other people.Often, they can’t go to university or they don’t have a job.Because of this, often they do not have a lot of money.

Access to information:Nowadays a lot of the information is on the internet. It is hard to get this information because the internet is difficult to understand and use.The EDF wants laws to make it easier.

p 24/25THE DISABILITY STRATEGYAs mentioned before the EDF gave law makers some ideas on how to be more ‘disability friendly’ in the future.The EDF wants all other laws to be more ‘disability friendly’ too.

The main law-maker in the EU is the European Commission.They made a new strategy just for disability.They called it ‘The European Disability Strategy 2010-2020’.There are a lot of good ideas in this plan. But the EDF wants all EU and national organisations to follow it.


easy to read

p 26/27TRANSPORTPeople can travel across country boarders.Disabled people should be able to do this too.For this, transport in all countries must be easy to use.

There are different kinds of transport:Planes, buses, boats, taxis and private cars.

In 2010 the EDF helped to write the rules that are made from lawsso that travelling becomes easier.We are particularly pleased with the new boat and bus rules.

p 28/29EQUAL ACCESS TO GOODS AND SERvICESThe EU has lots of shops, this is the internal market.

Being able to buy things and having access to this big market Will help us do a lot of things.And it will help include us.

In 2010, The European Commission awardedThe accessible cities in Europe.That was an idea from EDF.

Because being able to move is important, access to transport is important andin 2011 the EDF deals with freedom of movement.


p 30/31WOmENDisabled people are often left out or treated differently .Women are often left out or treated differentlysimply because they are women.

But women with disabilities are also in dangerbecause often people hurt them.Sometimes women with disabilities cannot decide if they want a baby on their own.

EDF worked with a Women’s organizationcalled the European Women’s Lobbyso that women are protected more.

p 32YOUTHEDF wants to involve young people.EDF has a team that focuses on this.EDF hopes that more young people will join the disability movement.


EUROPEAN DISABILITY FORUM35 square de Meeus1000 Brussels - BelgiumTel +32 2 282 46 00 Fax +32 2 282 46 [email protected]

Edf Annual Report 2010

Documents

key decision makers

european disability forum

european commission

united nations

european federation

european union

international federation

european parliament