On 19 December 2024, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) debated in Strasbourg, France, with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, from Belgium, the need to update the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. Commissioner Lahbib committed to actions for the remaining time of the Strategy in the fields of employment of people with disabilities as well as accessibility, independent living and accessible housing for people with disabilities. MEPs also highlighted the need for adequate European Union funding for autistic people and pointed to the relevant work of Adam Harris, CEO of Autism-Europe’s Irish member association AsIam.
In the hour and a half long debate, 47 MEPs from 23 European Union countries took the floor demanding inclusion, employment, accessibility, independent living, housing and healthcare for people with disabilities. In her opening, remark Commissioner Lahbib called herself a strong ally for the rights and needs of people with disabilities. She mentioned that the European Commission is currently assessing the actions so far taken within the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. She assured that the Strategy supports the implementation of the United Nations Conventions for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the European Pillar of Social Rights. She affirmed that the European Commission looks forward to the dialogue with the United Nations Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities next year. She confirmed that the Commission would continue to monitor the rollout of the European Accessibility Act by next year, the Web Accessibility Directive in place since 2018, and the European Disability Card and Parking Card for People with Disabilities, which should be operational by 2028. She assured the European Union funding for the independent living of people with disabilities.
Most MEPs called on improved employment programmes for people with disabilities for example MEP Pál Szekeres from Hungary (one of 3 MEPs with disabilities) calling it relevant for social inclusion as well as independence of people with disabilities. MEP Chiara Gemma from Italy was convinced that binding measures and sanctions would help to enforce future actions of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She called for a rights-based approach to guide future actions of the Strategy. Katrin Langensiepen from Germany (another of 3 MEPs with disabilities) focused on the ongoing- institutionalisation of people with disabilities. She deplored that European Union agricultural funds are still used to employ people with disabilities for little money, which she calls a form of social dumping. MEP Nikos Pappas from Greece was concerned with the accessibility of sports infrastructures for people with disabilities. MEP Andras Tivadar Kulja from Hungary focused on the needs of young people with disabilities. MEP Catarina Martins from Portugal was concerned that her country still allows involuntary sterilisation of women with disabilities. MEP Rosa Estaràs from Spain called for a job guarantee for people with disabilities. MEP Abir Al-Sahlani from Sweden criticised that people with disabilities are very exposed to violence and crime. MEP Idoia Mendia from Spain demanded a European agency on disability. MEP Michele Picaro from Italy wants the EU to pay particular attention to autism. He saw families of autistic people bearing most of the costs for their interventions and felt that the EU needs to support member states for adequate funding for autistic people. MEP Sean Kelly from Ireland pointed to the vital role of Adam Harris, CEO of Autism-Europe’s Irish member AsIam, for autism advocacy. MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis is particularly concerned about the healthcare of people with disabilities, especially dental care.
Commissioner Lahbib closed the debate by reiterating the higher risk of poverty, social exclusion as well as loneliness, and victims of violence of people with disabilities. Ms. Lahbib announced a European Commission study on sheltered employment for people with disabilities. She closed by confirming that today’s debate and the interim report of the actions of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability will inform future actions under the Strategy.
Re-watch the debate here.
Re-read the debate here.
Why the debate?
In March 2021, the European Commission announced the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 and committed to concrete actions including 6 flagship initiatives until 2024, the end of the mandate of the last European Commission. However, no action was planned by the European Commission beyond 2024. Therefore, it was unclear what the Commission wanted to continue the full implementation of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. After Hadja Lahbib from Belgium took over as European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management on 1 December 2024 as part of the new college of commissioners, European disability organisations demanded a continuation of actions for inclusion of people with disabilities. In addition, the European Parliament as co-legislator of European law supported this call and set a debate on the matter. As a next step, the European Commission will have to present the new action plan for the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability 2021.