Autism-Europe, along with 19 other organisations, published an open letter today urging Member States to significantly improve the European Accessibility Act ahead of the next negotiations (2 October). We demand that a strong European Accessibility Act is agreed upon before the next European Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Autism-Europe considers the proposal for the European Accessibility Act has potential to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities throughout Europe. The proposal was published by the Commission on the 2 December 2015, and on September 14 2017, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in plenary session on the proposed amendments to the EU Accessibility Act, adopting their final position before negotiations begin with the Council.
After the European Commissions initial proposal, Autism-Europe published a response to the proposaloutlining a number of key recommendations to ensure that the specific needs of autistic people are not overlooked in the future Directive.
Autism-Europe also fed into the European Disability Forum’s official response to the legislative proposal.
It followed on from recommendations given to the EU by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to swiftly adopt the European Accessibility Act with the participation of people with disabilities.
For several years now Autism-Europe has been advocating for EU legislation on the accessibility of products and services for persons with disabilities.
Signatories
AGE Platform Europe
ANEC – European consumer voice in standardisation
IFSBH – International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
EURO-CIU – European Association of Cochlear Implant Users
ARFIE – Association for Research and Training on Integration in Europe
EBU – European Blind Union
ENIL – European Network on Independent Living
EASPD – European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities
EAMDA – European Alliance of Neuromuscular Disorders Associations
EDA – European Dyslexia Association
EFHOH – European Federation of Hard of Hearing People
Alzheimer Europe
MHE – Mental Health Europe
Social Firms Europe
CP-ECA – Cerebral Palsy – European Communities Association
Inclusion Europe
ECCE – European Cooperation in anthroposophical Curative Education and Social Therapy
EUD – European Union of the Deaf
ENUSP – European Network of (ex)-Users and survivors of psychiatry
Autism Europe