Launching the petition on the coronavirus emergency and the impact the pandemic had on people with intellectual disabilities and their families, Inclusion Europe was worried about the dramatic immediate effect the pandemic had, but also wondering about the socio-economic consequences it would have on the long term, and notably on employment. Indeed, as the employment of people with disabilities is already much lower than people without disabilities, one of the people with intellectual disabilities goes without saying as they are often the last one considered.
Following the petition, the Parliament adopted a resolution in July 2020 where it noted the “importance of reasonable accommodation to telework” and called for “social inclusion to be promoted when allocating EU funding”.
The Parliament’s new resolution adopted on the 10th of March 2021 on the implementation of Council Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation in light refers to the resolution of July 2020.
Inclusion Europe was consulted by MEP Katrin Langensiepen who was at the initiative of this resolution. This resolution is a great opportunity to reiterate the demands that were made in the petition and ensure long term and sustainable provisions to guarantee proper job opportunities for people with disabilities.
Further reading
For more information about the petition in multiple languages click here.
What is the European Union? Watch our easy-to-understand videos.
My Talents For Diversity Employment and Covid-19 report
My Talents For Diversity project outcomes and best practices.
“Neglect and discrimination. Multiplied. How Covid-19 affected the rights of people with
intellectual disabilities and their families.” Inclusion Europe, 2020