Recent achievements in the field of disability

The European Commission has launched the Disability rights strategy for 2021-30. “During the consultations last year, I drew the attention of the representative of the Commission to key factors that are essential for the successful implementation of the strategy, many of which appear in the document published today”, said MEP Ádám Kósa, Co-Chair of the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament.

The European Union is founded on the values of equality, social justice, freedom, democracy and human rights. The disability strategy for the last ten years has paved the way for a barrier-free Europe, promoting action supported by EU funds. ”Under the previous strategy, we implemented the KONTAKT services for the deaf and hard of hearing, operated by the Hungarian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which helps the barrier-free communication”, recalls MEP Ádám Kósa. Nevertheless, it was also during this time that the TÁVSZEM service has been implemented in Hungary that makes the daily lives of the blind and visually impaired easier. Furthermore, people with disabilities or autism have also made a number of improvements to help their members catch up socially.

Forasmuch people with disabilities are still discriminated in many EU Member States, the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions, of which Kósa is a member, often receives complaints about barriers to participation concerning health care, education, employment and political life. Among other things, the new strategy proposes ways to address them.

“During consultations with the representative of the European Commission, I often emphasized that financial resources are also needed for the successful implementation of the strategy. In connection with my proposal, the Commission also identifies in the new document the specific financial resources intended to improve the life of people with disabilities”, emphasized the Hungarian MEP Kósa. He added: “I also suggested in the consultations’ process that further steps should be taken to improve independent living and the quality of life of people with disabilities, and I am pleased that these measures have been included in the new strategy as well.”.

MEP Ádám Kósa, the first deaf Member of the European Parliament, is particularly pleased that the role of sign language is also recognized and covered by the new strategy, as the Commission had promised to adopt an accessibility action plan, based on which significantly information will be available in sign languages on EU institutions’ websites by 2023. EU Member States should also follow these good practices.

The newly published Disability rights strategy for 2021-30 is available in English here.