Key Communications of the European Commission relating to People with Disabilities and Special Needs

Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: a European action plan

Building on the momentum created and the results achieved in 2003 by the "European Year of People with Disabilities", the Commission plans to introduce a multi-annual action plan through to 2010, aimed at mainstreaming disability issues in the relevant Community policies and implementing specific measures in key areas with a view to enhancing the economic and social integration of people with disabilities.

The proposed action plan, covering the period from 2004 to 2010, seeks to set out a sustainable and operational approach to disability issues in the enlarged Europe. It has three central objectives:
• to implement fully the Directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation;
• to reinforce mainstreaming of disability issues in the relevant Community policies;
• to improve accessibility for all.

http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/cha/c11414.htm

Communication of the Commission on Equality of Opportunities for People with Disabilities [COM(2003) 650 final - Not published in the Official Journal]

The European Community Disability Strategy (1996) presents the Commission's Executive Summary and Policy Conclusions regarding:

- The Obstacles to Equality of Opportunity
- The New Equality of Opportunity Approach
- A Framework for the Pursuit of Equality of
Opportunity
- European Community Strategy on Equality of
Opportunity for People with Disabilities

Central to this communication is a full outline of the elements of the Mainstreaming Principle, including:
- Political Dialogue with the Member States
- Social Dialogue between Employers and Unions
- Civic Dialogue with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Mainstreaming: Policy Formulation
- Mainstreaming: Employment Strategy
- Mainstreaming: Information and Communications Technologies
- Mainstreaming: the Structural Funds

More information about the full communication is available from the Europa website pages concerning Equality of Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Available from:
Communication of the Commission on Equality of Opportunities for People with Disabilities
(COMM 2003 pdf)

Communication From The Commission To The Council, The European Parliament, The Economic And Social Committee And The Committee Of The Regions: Towards a Barrier Free Europe for People with Disabilities
[COM(2000) 284 final]

In the executive summary to the communication it states that: “The approach to disability endorsed by the European Union acknowledges that environmental barriers are a greater impediment to participation in society than functional limitations.

Barrier removal through legislation, provision of accommodations, universal design and other means, has been identified as the key to equal opportunities for people with disabilities While responsibility for these issues remains mainly with the Member States, the present scope of Community competence provides for substantial means and added value to achieve better equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

The inclusion of a general non-discrimination article covering inter alia disability in the Treaty of Amsterdam provides the basis for a crucial leap forward to promote equal rights for people with disabilities at EU level. Based on Article 13 of the EC Treaty, the European Commission has adopted on 26 November 1999 a comprehensive anti-discrimination package. From a disability perspective, the relevant part of this package consists of a proposal for a directive in the field of employment and occupation prohibiting discrimination on all grounds of discrimination listed in Article 13 and an action programme consisting of a wide array of complementary measures in this respect.”

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2001/jul/2000284_en.html

AND (COMM 2000 pdf)

Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council of 20 December 1996 on equality of opportunity for people with disabilities [Official Journal C 12 of 13.01.1997].

In this Resolution the Council reaffirms its commitment to equal opportunities for people with disabilities and to the principle of avoiding or abolishing all forms of negative discrimination based solely on disability.

The Resolution: “calls upon the Member States to ascertain whether their policies take account of the need to eliminate all obstacles to full participation in social life by disabled people and to educate public opinion to be receptive to the abilities of disabled people. Member States are equally encouraged to promote the participation of disabled people in the implementing and following-up of the policies and relevant actions”.

The Resolution: “calls upon the Commission to integrate the dimension of "equality of opportunity for people with disabilities" into all its relevant proposals and to encourage the exchange of useful information and experience, particularly with regard to innovative policies and good practice. The Commission is also called upon to present periodic reports summarising the progress made and obstacles encountered in implementing the resolution on the basis of information supplied by the Member States”.

http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/cha/c11412.htm

Council resolution of 5 May 2003 on equal opportunities for pupils and students with disabilities in education and training [Official Journal C 134 of 07.06.2003].

This resolution calls on: “Member States and the Commission, within their respective competencies, to:
• encourage and support the full integration of children and young people with special needs in society through their appropriate education and training, and their insertion in a school system which is adapted to their needs;
• make lifelong learning more accessible to people with disabilities and give particular attention to the use of new multimedia technologies and the Internet to improve the quality of learning by facilitating access to resources and services as well as remote exchanges and collaboration (e-learning);
• enhance the accessibility of all public websites covering guidance, education and vocational training to persons with disabilities;
• increase adequate support of services and technical assistance;
• facilitate proper information and guidance;
• continue and, if necessary, increase the initial and in-service training of teachers in the area of special needs;
• promote European cooperation between the parties involved professionally in the education and training of children and young people with disabilities;
• provide facilities, training opportunities and resources regarding the transition from school to employment”.

The resolution also calls on Member States and the Commission to: “increase the sharing of information and experiences on these matters at European level, involving where appropriate the European organisations and networks specialising in this field, such as the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education”.

http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/cha/c11408.htm

AND (134 pdf)

Please note, a number of other Commission documents relating to disability issues can be download from: http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/index/7003_en.html

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