News

Increasing competencies of civil society organisations to advocate and monitor the rights of people with psycho-social and intellectual disabilities in Balkan countries is the aim of the project PERSON (Partnership to Ensure Reforms of Supports in other Nations).

On 15 January, the European Parliament adopted the revised Public Procurement Directive which recognises the specificity of social, health and other services provided directly to individuals. The renewed legislation encourages member states to consider quality, not only price, when awarding contracts for social services.

Allowing people with intellectual disabilities to become teachers at institutions of higher education is an overall aim of a three-year project in Kiel in Germany. The project“Inclusive Education” will firstly train people with disabilities to gain the necessary qualifications in teaching and consequently, support these trainees to give classes at the institutions of higher education about disability and inclusion.

The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure will enter into force on 14 April 2014, three months after its ratification by 10th country - Costa Rica. The Protocol will enable children to bring their complaints of human rights violations before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

The Closing Conference of the European Year of Citizens 2013 celebrated the efforts of the EU institutions and civil society to engage citizens in a debate on Europe they want for future.

Eurochild published its assessment of the third European Commission’s 2012 Report on the application of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights. Eurochild concluded that the report failed to provide overall comprehensive picture of the situation regarding children’s rights in Europe.

Unapei together with other French organisations - APAJH, APF, CCAH and Réunica - launched a campaign for inclusive schools in France. On 3 December - the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 450 000 copies of a magazine Mon Quotidien (My Daily) were delivered to students all over the country to raise their awareness about inclusive learning.

On 15-16 May 2014 Inclusion Europe’s member associations Dincat and FEAPS together with University Ramon Llull organise the 2nd International Congress on Families and Disability in Barcelona. The event entitled “The families in the centre” will focus on improving the quality of life of families with children with intellectual disabilities.

The European Commission announced Gothenburg as the winner of 2014 Access City Award during the European Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December. This award marks the engagement of municipality of Gothenburg to make transport, housing and employment conditions more accessible for people with disabilities and older people.

The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) issued a report calling for inclusive education for children with disabilities. A report entitled “Equal Right, Equal Opportunity” urges national governments to adopt appropriate legislative frameworks and set out national plans for inclusive education.