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The European Parliament is a parliament of 28 European countries. They make laws for people in these countries. In May, there will be elections to the European Parliament. People in these countries will choose European Disability Forum is an organisation The European Disability Forum made a document to say |
On 11 February, European Disability Forum (EDF) officially presented its manifesto for the upcoming European elections at the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels. The document features the main demands of the disability movement towards the newly elected European Parliament.
The EDF Election Manifesto demands are covered by six main points:
- The promotion of a vision of an inclusive, sustainable and democratic Europe
- The reform of Europe’s economic and social policies to ensure the protection and enjoyment of human rights of Europeans with disabilities
- Making goods and services accessible for all through the European Accessibility Act and the proposed EU Directive on the accessibility of public websites
- The adoption of the proposed general non-discrimination directive, a much-anticipated EU law
- The swift ratification by the EU and by all Member states of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- The establishment of mechanisms within EU institutions to mainstream the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities while ensuring the involvement of persons with disabilities
The launching event was hosted by the Chair of the Disability Intergroup Adam Kosa MEP. Several other members of Disability Intergroup were present.
Yannis Vardakastanis, the EDF President addressed the audience with words: “Progress had been made on legislative level but due to the crisis, the real situation of persons with disabilities has got worse. We need the loud support of the European Parliament and of all candidates MEPs during the election campaign to promote a drastic change of policy whereby public finances consolidation is not at the expense of fundamental rights and social cohesion in the EU and do not to create more exclusion for those who are already excluded. We want persons with disabilities to participate fully in the democratic process and be able to enjoy their right to vote.”
Source: European Disability Forum
