AccessibleEU

Accessibility Standardisation

Standardisation requests

Standardisation request M/587 a standardisation request to the European standardisation organisations as regards the accessibility requirements of products and services in support of the Eyuropean Accessibility Act

Buying Social guide 

In December 2022, the Commission published the evaluation report of the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD).

The evaluation includes the results of the 2021 public consultation on the application of the Directive in practice, Member States’ accessibility monitoring reports and a supporting study.

The Commission Decision of 11 August 2021 harmonised the latest European standard EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03) on ‘Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services’.

Evaluation report:

Executive summary SWD(2022)411 final Evaluation report SWD(2022)410 final

Press release

Results of the 2021 public consultation

Member States’ accessibility monitoring reports

Supporting study:

Easy Read executive summary Easy Read synopsis report Final study report Executive summary

European standard EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03)

Commission decision of 11 August 2021

In December 2021 the Commission completed the evaluation of 3 passenger rights regulations relevant for passengers with disabilities (Regulation on the rights of persons with disabilities and reduced mobility when travelling by air, the waterborne passenger rights Regulation and the bus and coach passenger rights Regulation). These evaluations will serve as the basis for the review of the passenger rights framework.

This initiative is expected to be adopted in Q3 2023.

In the meantime information is being collected and preparatory work done for the Impact Assessment. A presentation of the state of play was organised in the Disability Platform.

Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy – putting European transport on track for the future COM(2020) 789 final

Rights for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility

The project 'inventory of assets on rail infrastructure' aims at collecting and exchanging information on the accessibility of stations between the different actors of the railway sector at European level.

The ‘inventory of assets’ is now a project for a database called ERSAD (European Railway Stations Accessibility Database). 

The ERA has integrated the technical requirements for the provision of data feeding this database into its recommendation about the regulation (EU) 454/2011 (TAP TSI) published in January 2022. The revision of the TAP TSI is ongoing and is likely to be adopted in the course of 2024. 

The database ERSAD is currently available in a test environment at ERA. ERA is working on making the tool fully operational, but there is as yet no date on when this work will be finalised.

European Union Agency for Railways (ERA)

Recommendation ERA-REC-122 V2.0 (2022) of the European Union Agency for Railways on the technical specification for Interoperability relating to the subsystem 'telematics applications for passenger services' of the Union rail system | European Union Agency for Railways (europa.eu) (chapter 4.2.6.2.)

The Commission adopted the proposal on 14 December 2021. Accessibility for all users, including persons with disabilities, is one of the priorities in the proposal.

In July 2022, the Commission adopted an amended proposal for the revised TEN-T Regulation, in view of the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Those amendments however did not concern provisions on accessibility. 

A Council General Approach was reached on 5 December 2022 which kept the proposed provisions on accessibility almost unchanged. 

An adoption of the TEN-T Regulation  is envisaged for end 2023, and an entry into force at the beginning of 2024.  

Amended proposal for the revised TEN-T Regulation (July 2022))

The Commission adopted the proposal on 14 December 2021.

Following up on this proposal, The European Commission adopted Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/550 on National Support Programmes for Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning on 8 March 2023, a commitment from the EU Urban Mobility Framework. It includes an updated concept of SUMPs (sustainable urban mobility planning) covering also the aspects of accessibility and inclusiveness: a SUMP should therefore include specific goals and objectives to support the development of an urban transport system including its accessibility aspects.  

Whole package

New Urban Mobility Framework Communication

Accompanying SWD

Final report on Consultation on the EU new Urban Mobility Initiative

Supporting fact-finding study

Commission Recommendation (EU) 2023/550 on National Support Programmes for Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning

In 2021, the Commission published the assessment study of the EU Disability Card pilot project. The study confirms the EU added value of the card.

In February 2022 the Commission initiated discussions on a European Disability Card with the Member States and civil society organisations in the Disability Platform through a dedicated sub-group.  A study was carried out to support the preparation of the impact assessment for this initiative. An online public consultation with accessible Word version and Easy to read version received around 3,300 replies.

The Commision adopted a proposal for a Directive on 6^th September with a new European Disability card and a revised parking card for persons with disabilities. Commission proposes European Disability and Parking Card valid in all Member States - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission (europa.eu)

The Commission presented the proposal for a European Disability Card on 6 September 2023.

European Disability Card webpage

Study assessing the implementation of the pilot action on the EU Disability Card

At the meeting of the European cooperation network on elections on 24 January 2022, Member States’ representatives presented their efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise their right to vote. This included measures to increase the physical accessibility of polling stations, on-site support, electoral assistive tools, and alternative voting methods. In addition, Member States mentioned offering easy-to-read booklets and websites on elections, templates for visually impaired voters, election helplines and WhatsApp service for voters with hearing impairments. 

A high-level event on elections is planned for 23-24 October 2023. The audience is composed of representatives of Member States authorities responsible for the organisation of elections.

A session will be dedicated to “Best practices for ensuring electoral rights for people with disabilities”

It will focus on the issues at stake, necessary measures and best practices to enable persons with disabilities to enjoy their right to vote and stand for elections, including by providing accessible communication and facilities.

The compendium is being prepared in the framework of the European Cooperation Network on Elections; it is planned for Q4 2023. 

Democracy and electoral rights webpage

The Commission has set up 4-year framework partnership agreements (for 2022-2025) with EU-level networks of civil society organisations active in protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, including in the area of inclusive democratic participation. The selection of NGOs was completed in December 2021. Through annual calls for proposals, these partnership agreements open the door for operating grants. This funding supports these organisations to build their capacity, participate in EU-level processes and provide their views on the development of EU legislation and policies.

The Commission maintains relations with representatives of civil society organisations via regular strategic dialogue meetings. These actions allow the Commission to benefit from the networks’ expertise as regards the challenges that vulnerable groups of citizens face in the Member States and to be supported in its outreach activities at EU, national and local level.

Annual grant agreements are signed for 2023

Call for proposals: Framework Partnership agreement with networks active in the area of disability

The Commission is preparing the guidance, including the following steps: (1) taking on board information collected by experts on EU and Member States’ support to national, regional and local authorities in their efforts for deinstitutionalisation and independent living; (2) has established a dedicated sub-group on independent living under the Disability Platform to assist the Commission in defining the areas of relevance for future guidance; and (3) taking a practical approach, the Commission will further explore examples from Member States’ experiences in developing the conditions for independent living and carrying out deinstitutionalisation processes, with a focus on how EU funds can be used to accelerate progress in these areas. 

The dedicated sub-group of the Disability Platform has met twice in 2023.

16. Flagship initiative 4: Building on the existing voluntary European Quality Framework for Social Services, the Commission will present, by 2024, a specific framework for Social Services of Excellence for persons with disabilities, to improve service delivery for persons with disabilities and to enhance the attractiveness of jobs in this area including through upskilling and reskilling of service providers.

The Commission is: (1) undertaking analytical work to take stock of the quality of services for persons with disabilities in the Member States; (2) meeting with stakeholders at EU level to collect information on their past and ongoing work as well as their views regarding quality of services for persons with disabilities. (3) Additional work in relation to upskilling and reskilling of service providers is being promoted in conjunction with the flagship on independent living and inclusion in the community.

In addition, the Commission, together with the European Disability Expertise (EDE), is working on gathering information focusing on  quality assurance systems in social services of particular relevance to persons with disabilities, with a view to promote deinstitutionalisation and the development of community-based support services.

The evidence emerged from the work expected to be available  by end 2023.  It will contribute to shaping the Commission’s initiative on a framework for Social Services of Excellence for persons with disabilities.

The Package was launched in September 2022. It includes practical deliverables and guidance documents that will be developed until 2024, including via cooperation with the European Network of Public Employment Services, EU agencies and social partners, guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (notably its Article 27 on work and employment). The Commission is also working with stakeholders in the Disability Platform and a dedicated sub-group has been set up. Current work focuses on the deliverables on innovative practices for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace and reasonable accommodation. A dedicated website of the Package has been set up . A practitioner toolkit on strengthening PES to improve the labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities  and Lifelong learning guidance for persons with disabilities have been published.  Remaining deliverables are under development. In parallel, DG EMPL has been working on a dissemination of the deliverables through Business Europe, ETUC, Diversity Charters, European Enterprise Network and through participation in other events. other events.

Horizon Europe will support projects on ‘Overcoming discrimination for an inclusive labour market’. The deadline for applications was 20 April 2022. The budget is €9 million. 3 projects are expected to be funded.

Disability Employment Package webpage

Practitioner toolkit on strengthening PES to improve the labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities

Briefing note - Lifelong guidance for persons with disabilities

Horizon Europe call for proposals on overcoming discrimination for an inclusive labour market

The Commission published the implementation report in March 2021. As indicated in the Commission Work Programme 2022, the Commission adopted legislative proposals to strengthen the role and independence of equality bodies in December 2022. The proposals are currently under negotiation in the Council and respectively the European Parliament. The Commission proposals include provisions to ensure access by persons with disabilities to the services provided and information provided by equality bodies in the Member States.

Report on the application of the Racial Equality Directive and the Employment Equality Directive

Commission work programme 2022

Press release: Equality Package: Commission proposes to strengthen equality bodies to fight discrimination

19. Issue, in 2021, an Action Plan on Social Economy to improve the enabling environment for the social economy, including opportunities related to persons with disabilities, through social enterprises with a focus on integration, into the open labour market.

On 9 December 2021, the European Commission adopted an Action Plan on the Social Economy, which puts forward concrete measures to help mobilise the full potential of the social economy. Social entrepreneurship and the social economy help build bridges for persons with disabilities to employment in the open labour market and provide services that are essential to support their independent living.

Press release 

The study has been completed and published in December 2022.

The report was presented to the Disability Platform in February 2023.

News item with link to the Synthesis Report and to the 35 national reports

The Commission provides targeted guidance for the implementation of relevant reforms in the Member States through the European Semester process in line with the commitments made under the UNCRPD.

Through the Technical Support Instrument, the Commission will continue to support Member States in improving their disability assessment methodologies and procedures. The Commission will also continue to promote mutual learning activities and the exchange of best practices.

Finally, the EU supports the implementation of structural reforms in the Member States through the use of EU funding in compliance with the UNCRPD, notably through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and NextGenerationEU, including the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Continuous support is provided upon demand from Member States through the Technical Support Instrument.

The availability of such guidance and support has been further publicised to Member States at a Disability Platform meeting focussing on social protection (February 2023).

This meeting also included a presentation on the functioning of the Technical Support Instrument as well as on the opportunities for mutual learning within the Social Protection Committee (e.g. thematic peer reviews).

The Commission adopted a legislative package in May 2023 which included:  

1. a  proposal for a Council decision obliging Member States to become parties to  the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) 2000 Protection of Adults Convention (within the period of 2 years after the date of the adoption of that Council decision); and  
2. a proposal for a Regulation on the cross-border protection of adults which will apply among EU Member States and will further streamline the rules in the Convention for the EU context. 

The proposals will help to better protect rights of vulnerable adults in cross-border situations within and outside the EU. Since many vulnerable adults are also persons with disabilities, the proposals will contribute to the better protection of their rights in cross-border situations and thereby to the achievement of the UNCRPD objectives.  

The legislative package is accompanied by an impact assessment. The consultations preceding the preparation of both proposals included: 

• call for evidence and open public consultation (early 2022); 
• stakeholder meeting (9/2022); 
• meeting with experts from Member States’ authorities (10/2022); 
• consultation of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters (11/2022); 
• fact-finding mission by the European Network of Justice Inspection Services; and  
• additional consultation conducted by an external contractor in the context of a study supporting the impact assessment (including, for instance, two focus groups or semi-structured interviews).  

The feedback received in those consultation activities informed the preparation of the legislative package.

Proposal for a Council decision authorising Member States to become parties to  the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) 2000 Protection of Adults Convention

Proposal for a Regulation on the cross-border protection of adults

Commission work programme 2022   

Have your Say:

Civil judicial cooperation – EU-wide protection for vulnerable adults   

Study on the cross-border legal protection of vulnerable adults in the EU - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)

A study on procedural safeguards for vulnerable adults in criminal proceedings was launched at the beginning of 2021. The objective of this study was to analyse the legal situation in Member States, issues arising in cross-border judicial cooperation and the need for more stringent rules at the EU level. The final report, including four case studies on the legal situation of vulnerable persons in several EU MS, has been published. 

The study showed that the implementation of the 2013 Commission Recommendation on procedural safeguards for vulnerable persons is largely unsatisfactory. While children benefit from Directive 2016/800, procedural safeguards for vulnerable adults remains inadequate in a majority of Member States. On the basis of the outcomes of this study, the Commission is currently assessing the best way forward to address the issues identified.

24. Provide guidance to Member States on access to justice for persons with disabilities in the EU, building on international guidance provided by the United Nations.

Ongoing

The European judicial training strategy for 2021-2024 stipulates that the rights of persons with disabilities and the adaptation of justice systems to these persons require specialised training as well as coverage in other courses. Provision of such training is the objective of the current strategy that will expire in 2024. 

The European Commission supports the European Judicial Training Network that will deliver :

•  Conference on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, October 2023,
• Seminar on Vulnerable and disabled people, November 2024.

The European Commission supports the CoE HELP Programme that offers online course “Rights of Persons with Disabilities” (2022 update).

The European Training Platform (ETP) on the European e-Justice Portal comprises training material for justice professionals, also on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard presented, for the first time, a dedicated figure on specific arrangements in place and accessibility measures to support persons with disabilities in accessing justice on equal basis with others

European judicial training strategy 2021-2024

European Training Platform

EJTN Seminars and Webinars

THE 2022 EU JUSTICE SCOREBOARD (europa.eu)

25. Develop measures to support Member States in boosting the participation of persons with disabilities as professionals in the justice system and collect good practices on supported decision-making.

26. Issue in 2021 a toolkit for inclusion in early childhood education and care, which includes a specific chapter on children with disabilities.

Toolkit for inclusive early childhood education and care

Webinar recording

27. Support Member States to further develop their teacher education systems to address shortages of teachers in Special Needs Education and competences of all education professionals to manage diversity in the classroom and develop inclusive education.

The Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training (2021-2025) is contributing to the implementation of the Council Recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching, and is supporting reforms to promote equality in education and training. The Working Group focuses both on inclusive education for all and on specific population groups’ equal access to quality education, including learners with special education needs and disabilities. 

An Issue Paper on ‘Tackling all forms of discrimination in and through education and training’ is a key output related to the Working Group meetings held on the topic and will be published after July 2023. The paper addresses 6 main themes among which tackling discrimination based on disability and tackling multiple discrimination through an intersectional approach.

In addition, the Working Group on Equality and Values will join forces with the Working Group Schools (sub-group on Pathways to School Success) and will focus in the second half of 2023 on the topic of special needs education. A dedicated Expert Group on Supportive Learning Environments and Well-Being at School is working in synergy with the above groups and addressing, amongst other things, vulnerable groups including children with disabilities.

The Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success addresses the need for initial teacher education and continuous professional development to better prepare teachers and other staff to work effectively with learners at risk of exclusion, underachievement and early school leaving.

European Toolkit for Schools

Working Groups of the European Education Area 

28. As a member of the Board of Governors of the European Schools, support increased efforts to implement the Action Plan Educational Support and Inclusive Education focusing on accessibility and reasonable accommodation, adaptation of their curricula to the needs of learners with disabilities (e.g. alternative leaving certificates allowing for continuation of education at national level) and on providing training courses for teachers in the area of inclusive education.

The Board of Governors approved the Accessibility Policy (December 2021) and the Budgetary Committee approved  the Training Policy on Educational Support and Inclusive Education in the European Schools (Nov 2021). The training on Inclusive education for Directors, Inspectors, Coordinators and teachers has already started.  

The provision of reasonable accommodation is established in the Accessibility Plan as well as in the Policy on the Provision of Educational Support in the European Schools (approved in April 2021 by the Board of Governors) and the related Procedural Document (approved in February 2022 by the Joint Teaching Committee). The Policy and Procedural Document establish the possibility for pupils with additional needs to follow a modified curriculum. A more general concept of the adaptation of the curricula is included in the Multi-Annual Plan of Pedagogical Priorities (MAPPP).

The possibility to issue an alternative leaving certificate is also included in the MAPPP. This action has already started and is expected to be implemented according to the timeline established in the Action Plan.

29. Address issues related to health and disability through the Steering Group on Promotion and Prevention (SGPP) for the sharing of validated health-related good practices to support Member States in their health reforms.

Since December 2022, the Steering Group on Promotion and Prevention (SGPP) has been replaced by the Commission expert group on public health. Actions will depend on the priorities of the Member States and the rolling agenda of the expert group. In any event, the needs of the vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities are always highlighted across actions and policies, including on mental health, cancer, vaccination and health promotion and disease prevention policies in general.

Special Olympics have received a grant agreement for a project on inclusive Healthy Lifestyle groups in Schools (iHLGiS), a three-year project funded under EU4Health  programme).  

The project aims to reach over 100 schools, over 4000 students with and without intellectual disabilities, and to engage with community stakeholders and across sectors. 

The Special Olympics World Games are the world's largest inclusive sports event. Thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities compete together in 26 sports.  

Steering group on Promotion and Prevention

inclusive Healthy Lifestyle groups in Schools” (iHLGiS) 

30. Support stakeholders to address and alleviate the burden that the COVID-19 pandemic imposes on the mental health of European citizens.

Following the announcement by President von der Leyen in the State of the Union speech in September 2022, the Commission adopted a Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health in June 2023. 

The Commission undertook extensive consultations with Member States, stakeholders and citizens. 

The Member States have been consulted through the new Expert Group on Public Health, and in particular its new sub-group on mental health that met for the first time on 14 February and again on 28 March.

Stakeholders have been consulted through targeted webinars and a call for evidence, which showed a strong support for EU action in the area of mental health.

EU Have Your Say: a comprehensive approach to mental health (europa.eu)

Stakeholder event - A comprehensive approach to mental health (europa.eu)

31. Address specific inequalities for persons with disabilities in accessing cancer prevention, early detection and care through specific actions identified through the inequalities registry in the Europe’s beating cancer plan.

A study is planned on guidance for access to healthcare for persons with disabilities,  to provide direction to Member States to increase access and overcome barriers in access to healthcare, including a particular focus on access to cancer diagnosis and care. The study will include a specific survey, which will generate quantitative and qualitative data on persons with disabilities in view of improving cancer diagnosis and care for them in all Member States. The contract will be signed in summer 2023 and the final report will be produced after two years.  

As for access to early detection, the new 2022 Council Recommendation on cancer screening includes several references to persons with disabilities. It stresses, for example, that the individual needs of persons with disabilities, as regards support or special assistance in order to access cancer screening or adapted clinical facilities, should be duly taken into account. Member States will be supported with implementing the Council Recommendation by a direct grant to Member State authorities under the EU4Health Work Programme 2023.

The Cancer Inequalities Registry was launched in February 2022. The Commission publishes biennial analysis reports where issues related to cancer inequalities affecting people with disabilities will be considered.

European Cancer Inequalities Registry

European Health Union: new approach on cancer screening (europa.eu)

32. Launch a study evaluating the implementation of Article 30 of the UNCRPD to support Member States in policies to increase the participation of and support to persons with disabilities in sport, culture and leisure activities.

The Creative Europe Programme provides opportunities for support to artists with disabilities. The objectives of the programme are pursued in a way that encourages inclusion, equality, diversity and participation, including, where appropriate, specific incentives that encourage the active participation in the cultural and creative sectors of people with disabilities, people belonging to minorities and people belonging to socially marginalised groups, including both the creative process and audience development; and gender equality, in particular as a driver of economic growth, innovation and creativity. The Creative Europe programme explicitly refers to the UNCRPD in its legal base and supports actions that works towards the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, both in the participation in the creative process and as part of the audience. A good example of this is the large-scale cooperation project Europe Beyond Access or the scheme Perform Europe that offered possibilities for artists with disabilities to carry out a performance. The Culture Moves Europe mobility scheme under the Creative Europe Programme offers additional financial support for people with disabilities to enable them participation in the international mobility projects, both within individual mobility action and the residency action. In individual mobility action, the amount of this top-up will complement basic grant (travel and per diem) and will depend on the specific needs of the person, but will not exceed the amount of the basic grant. The budget should be agreed with the Culture Moves Europe team. In residencies, the calculation of the disability top up is also based on the needs but depends on the duration.

Between 2019 and 2023, the Creative Europe Programme has supported Europe Beyond Access. It has become the largest transnational Arts & Disability project in the world.  Since September 2018 (and until June 2023) Europe Beyond Access has been supporting artists with disabilities to break the glass ceilings of the contemporary theatre & dance sectors:  

• to internationalise their artistic innovations and their careers 
• to develop a network of leading mainstream organisations with a commitment to present and commission at the highest level 
• to build European audiences interested in high-quality innovative work by Europe’s artists with disabilities 
• and to develop tools and understanding in the wider performing arts market.

In May 2023, Europe Beyond Access  organised, in partnership with Brussels’ Kunsten Festival des Arts, a symposium exploring how the mainstream European cultural sector can support greater access to the arts for persons with disabilities as artists, arts professionals and as audiences. The symposium drew on the experience of the project partners, and also shared contributions from European Ministries of Culture, Arts Councils, independent organisations and individual artists. 

Europe Beyond Access was run by a consortium of 7 partners: British Council (operating for this project in Poland), Onassis Stegi (Greece), Holland Dance Festival (The Netherlands), Kampnagel (Germany), Per.Art (Serbia), Skånes Dansteater (Sweden), and Oriente Occidente (Italy). The partners in the project were large mainstream performing arts institutions with the ability and desire to impact on their national cultural dialogues and to bring the questions of the project to the wider cultural sector.

Three reports were published as part of the project:

• ‘Disabled artists in the mainstream: a new cultural agenda for Europe’,
• ‘Time to Act: How lack of knowledge in the cultural sector creates barriers for disabled artists and audiences’
• Time to Act: Two Years On, Data-led insights on Performing Arts and Disability in Europe - Disability Arts International

The Commission will publish reports on a regular basis on the progress made in the implementation of the inclusion measures, in particular through the mid-term evaluation of the programmes and annual reporting activities.

The mid-term evaluations of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps are on-going and due to be finalised by end 2024. In line with the respective legal basis they will tackle, among others, the overall effectiveness and performance of the Programmes, including as regards the delivery of inclusion measures. 

The main deliverables of the project are as follows:

• 19 New works commissioned, presented and toured. For example, see here:
• 23 Showcases of works by touring Deaf and disabled artists, 20 transnational Artist residencies

-

• 7 Audience Development Programmes – building expertise on how to reach and develop audiences of disabled people.
• Major marketing campaigns, such as the “Jestem Artystką / I am an Artist” campaign which reached millions of people in Poland and internationally through billboard advertising, media coverage and online campaigns
• A programme of Capacity Building events and conferences in 8 countries
• a final conference livestreamed from Brussels at the end of May 2023 (Symposium: Disability and Transforming the Cultural Ecosystem - Disability Arts International)
• At a European level the consortium launched the European Arts and Disability Cluster representing more than 40 grass-roots companies across more than 20 European countries.
• Learning Journeys, digital series of toolkits and educational resources specifically for disabled artists, producers and promoters, and funders and policymakers. They include a series of new films, discussions, podcasts, creative tasks, reports and more to support professional development.

The Perform Europe project was an 18 month-project that took place in the 40 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme and the UK. The scheme offered the possibilities for artists with disabilities to carry out performances, and included the topic of disability in the Performing arts sector in the framework of the research carried out by Perform Europe. The produced results highlighted several findings on the topic of disability in the performing arts, such as the extra challenges faced by disabled artists (Extra challenges when touring linked to additional costs for assistance, mobility among other things, or barriers in the education systems for disabled artists.).

Implementation guidelines - Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy | Erasmus+ (europa.eu)

Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2022 (version 2) | Erasmus+ (europa.eu)

Mid-term evaluation of Erasmus+

33. Partner with the International Paralympic Committee to foster inclusion in sport and combat stereotypes.

In the framework of the Commission HealthyLifestyle4All initiative, the International Paralympic Committee has delivered the pledge to support different National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) in Europe with financial grants.  

An upcoming Mapping Healthy Lifestyle study of the European Commission will assess the progress of the pledges and showcase good practice examples.  

International Paralympic Committee pledge 

HealthyLifeStyel4All initiative 

WeThe15 

34. Further promote the development of accessible tourism notably by cities via the European Capital of Smart Tourism award.

Pafos (Cyprus) and Seville (Spain) were selected as the winners of the 2023 European Capital of Smart Tourism, following a European Jury meeting in Brussels on 9 November 2022. Cities (europa.eu)

The Guide on EU funding for tourism is consistently updated. A list of good practices is published and is updated to the latest cycle of applicants (2023): Leading examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe (europa.eu) 

Fourth episode of podcast which is on accessibility: EU Smart Tourism Podcast | a podcast by The European Capital of Smart Tourism (podbean.com)

The transition pathway for tourism (2022) also takes accessibility into account. 

A guide on EU funding for tourism was published (2021).

European Capitals of Smart Tourism 

Guide on EU funding for tourism 

Press release on the transition pathway for tourism

35. Provide by 2024 guidance to Member States and practitioners, including police officers, on improving support for victims of violence who are persons with disabilities.

The European judicial training strategy for 2021-2024 stipulates that the rights of persons with disabilities and the adaptation of justice systems to these groups require specialised training as well as coverage in other courses. Provision of such training is the strategic objective. 

The European Commission supports projects addressing priorities of the above mentioned strategy under the Call for proposals for action grants to support transnational projects on judicial training covering civil law, criminal law or fundamental rights (JUST-2023-JTRA, deadline date 19 April 2023).

The European Training Platform (ETP) was launched in December 2020 on the European e-Justice Portal and comprises training material for justice professionals on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Commission will present an initiative aimed at supporting the development and strengthening of integrated child protection systems, which will encourage all relevant authorities and services to better work together in a system that puts the child at the centre (including children with disabilities).

European judicial training strategy 2021-2024

European Training Platform

The Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) 2023-2025 programming document contains projects on ‘Fundamental rights protection of persons with disabilities living in institutions’ and on FRA’s participation in the EU framework under Art. 33(2) CPRD. These projects are also included in the draft programming document 2024-2026 submitted to the Commission.  In its opinion on the draft programming document delivered in line with FRA’s founding regulation (Council Regulation (EC) 168/2007, as amended), the Commission welcomes these projects and invites FRA to streamline disability throughout the Agency’s work.

FRA programming document

FRA Founding Regulationhttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32007R0168

Updated toolbox on the rights based approach

In June 2022, the Commission (DG NEAR) organised an internal training on UNCRPD implementation, in the framework of the annual edition of the Fundamental Rights Network Seminar (FRi-Net), bringing together all colleagues working on human rights related matters in EU Delegations and HQ in the three NEAR regions. This included an exchange with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Mr Gerard Quinn. The Commission organised in March 2023 a gender responsive HRBA training and, together with the European Disability Forum (EDF), a webinar on disability in emergencies. New training on Disability inclusion took place in April and further training will be organised regularly. 

EU Delegations continue to review on a regular basis the situation and progress made on the rights of persons with disabilities in the enlargement and neighbourhood regions and formulated recommendations to partner countries. This dialogue on reforms is underpinned by significant financial assistance to both civil society and public authorities, managed by Delegations. 

The Commission (Directorate-General for International Partnership and Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations) have published a Guidance note on Disability.  

EEAS and DG ECHO, together with the European Disability Forum, organised an online training on Disability Inclusion in the Context of Emergency Situations on 28 March 2023 for EU Delegations and Staff in headquarters.

EU Guidance note -Leaving no one behind -disability inclusion in EU external action | Capacity4dev (europa.eu)

The systematic use of the OECD-DAC disability policy marker has continued to allow for progress on EU investments and mainstreaming in favour of the rights of persons with disabilities. For instance, the Commission (DG International Partnerships) reports an increase in the share of new disability inclusive programmes funded in a calendar year. According to the DAC marker data, 38% of the DG’s new programmes were disability inclusive in 2022. Collectively for the Commission services, 27% of new funded actions were disability inclusive in 2022.

Support through the SOCIEUX (EU Expertise on Social Protection) programme continued. New support is provided to Ecuador Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, for inclusive labour policies. In 2022 support was provided to Mongolia, Nigeria and Kazakhstan for the social protection, labour and employment sector. Support on disability to Armenia and Mauritius was completed in 2022.

Support through TAIEX (technical assistance from EU Member States administration) continued. 2 TAIEX events related to this topic were organised in 2022 (for Montenegro). 

SOCIEUX+. EU expertise on social protection, labour and employment 

TAIEX (europa.eu)

At the June 2023 Conference of State Parties to the UNCRPD, the EU statement was delivered by the Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli.

The Commission as focal point for the EU for the implementation of the UNCRPD, organised a side event on ‘Developing Skills for Employment’. The side event addressed the advantages that society and economy can gain by investing in the skills of persons with disabilities, thus opening up their employment opportunities while simultaneously supporting employers in finding the workers they require. The Commission also sponsored and spoke in a side event on ‘Ending forced sterilisation for persons with disabilities and promoting sexual and reproductive rights’, and another one on ‘Maximising understanding ad monitoring the impact of disability strategies’ organised by the Swedish Presidency. In addition, the EU cosponsored 3 other  side events, two on digital accessibility organized by ITU and the Zero project and one on independent living. Representatives of persons with disabilities participated in all side events.

15th session of the Conference of State Parties

Side events at the 15th session of the Conference of State Parties

42. Reinforce the Better Regulation toolbox to enhance disability-inclusiveness for ensuring UNCRPD consistency. 

The Commission published the updated Better Regulation toolbox on 25 November 2021. It enhances disability-inclusiveness to ensure consistency with the UNCRPD.

43. Ensure the coherent inclusion and assessment of disability matters in impact assessments and evaluations where relevant, including through training of staff preparing initiatives on the UNCRPD.

The updated Better Regulation toolbox strengthens the disability dimension of impact assessments and evaluations.

The Council Conclusions on the Strategy, adopted on 14 June 2021, invite Member States to further promote the coordination of the UNCRPD National Focal Point with other ministries including by establishing contact points for disability matters in ministries and public bodies and to cooperate with relevant European Commission services in accordance with the Strategy.

The European Parliament Resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions acknowledges the Commission’s call for all EU institutions, bodies, agencies and delegations to designate ‘disability coordinators’ and reiterates its call for focal points to be established in all EU institutions and agencies, including Parliament and the Council.

In the Commission, disability coordinators have been nominated in all Directorate-Generals of the Commission and an inter-service group continues to coordinate the implementation of the Disability Rights Strategy within the Commission. 33 EU agencies (out of 48) have also designated their disability coordinators

Draft Council Conclusions on the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with

European Parliament Resolution TA-9-2021-0414 (7 October 2021)

The annual European Day for Persons with Disabilities conference was held in December 2021 and in November 2022. It gathered organisations of persons with disabilities and high-level EU institution representatives.

Issues related to disability policy are also regularly on the agenda of high-level meetings of EU institutions.

A trilateral meeting  between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the Implementation of the Union of Equality Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities  and advancing together on EU implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities took place on 31 May 2023. Participants included the Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, Minister Waltersson Grönvall representing the Swedish Presidency and MEP Pislaru representing the European Parliament.

The purpose of the meeting was to share information between the three EU institutions on implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and to discuss strengthened coordination for improved implementation and coherence. It was agreed to continue dialogue under forthcoming presidencies and to work together through regular coordination meetings between focal points.

Council Conclusions on the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (14 June 2021)

European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission (europa.eu)

The Commission continues to participate in meetings organised by the European Economic and Social Comittee (EESC) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on matters related to disability actions including those  on the UNCRPD and the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Commission adopted follow-up responses that included disability matters such as that responding to the CoR opinion on “Enhancing cohesion policy support for regions with geographic and demographic handicaps”, CoR Opinion on Hate crimes”, EESC opinion on the “European Disability Card”, and EESC opinion on the “Care strategy” .

European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica, participated  in the  event organised on the occasion of the EESC Civil Society Days 2023.

Opinions of the European Committee of the Regions

European Commission follow-up to CoR Opinions – Plenary Session of November-December 2022

Follow-up on EESC Opinions

47. Flagship initiative 6: The Commission will in 2021 establish the Disability Platform. It will replace the existing High Level Group on Disability and support the implementation of this Strategy as well as national disability strategies. It will bring together national UNCRPD focal points, organisations of persons with disabilities and the Commission. The Platform could be used as a forum to exchange on the UN’s assessments of Member States’ implementation of the UNCRPD. The online presence of the Disability Platform will contain information on its meetings, activities, analysis, and country information, including promotion of accessible and inclusive good practices.

The Commission Expert Group ‘Disability Platform’ was created in October 2021. The Platform meets three times per year.

4 sub-groups specifically dedicated to flagship initiatives of the Disability strategy were created in 2022 and 2023 (AccessibleEU, Disability Card, Employment package and Independent living).

The agendas and minutes of the meetings are published on the Commission website.

48. Establish a dialogue on disability with existing networks of local and regional authorities (e.g. Eurocities, Council of European municipalities and regions).

The Commission, continues to provide financial support to Eurocities and participate in their meetings and events.

The Commission continues to work with POLIS, including within the Commission expert group set up to develop guidance on the accessibility of electrical charging points.

There are contacts with networks of local and regional authorities (e.g. Eurocities and the Council of European municipalities and regions) in the context of the Access City Award.

The Access City Award winners were invited to the conference on the occasion of the 2022 European Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

Eurocities

POLIS

Sustainable Transport Forum (STF)

European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission (europa.eu)

Together for Rights: the Strategy for persons with disabilities - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission (europa.eu)

50. Support Member States to use EU Funds in compliance with the UNCRPD and respecting accessibility ensuring that EU funds do not support actions that contribute to segregation or exclusion.

The horizontal enabling conditions for cohesion policy and other EU funds, covered by the Common Provisions Regulation, require a national framework to be in place in each Member State to ensure implementation of the UNCRPD and of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU in line with specific criteria. In addition, there are thematic enabling conditions relevant for the shift from institutional to community-based care. 

In the scope of Cohesion policy programmes, the Commission assesses the fulfilment of the horizontal enabling condition on implementation and application of the UNCRPD, as well as the relevant thematic enabling conditions. The Commission has concluded negotiations of 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy programmes.  The majority of the relevant programmes include safeguards related to ensuring accessibility, deinstitutionalisation and that measures should not lead to segregation. In a few Member States, there are specific safeguards on no support for residential care facilities. Several other Member States’ programmes include safeguards on ensuring compliance of investments with the UNCRPD, General comment 5 and CRPD Committee’s concluding observations. Supported measures include - in a few Member States - infrastructure and equipment supporting community and family care (e.g. social housing, individual apartments).

Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the 27 national plans approved by the Commission and adopted by the Council include a number of reforms and investments to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Moreover, Member States were required to explain how their plans contribute to equal opportunities for all.

Under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027 and in view of the preparation of CAP Strategic Plans, Member States were required to involve civil society, stakeholders and, where relevant, bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, fundamental rights, gender equality and non-discrimination.  Meanwhile the Commission has approved all CAP Strategic Plans. Under those Plans, Member States commit to design and implement the interventions aiming at enhancing the social inclusion in rural areas particularly under specific objective 8.

Common Provisions Regulation (2021/1060)

51. Flagship initiative 7: The Commission will adopt a renewed HR strategy that will include actions to promote diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities, and invites EPSO to complement these efforts in collaboration with other recruiting EU institutions.

In December 2022, the Director General of DG HR adopted the updated Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, in the form of a Communication to the Commission, which includes a section (with 7 sub-actions) dedicated to staff with disabilities and carers for family members with disabilities. The implementation period of the new action plan spans 2023 and 2024.

The Commission’s HR strategy contains specific actions to promote diversity and inclusion of staff with disabilities in the Commission and links to a more detailed diversity and inclusion action plan. 

EPSO adopted its new Equality and Diversity Action Plan in May 2022, which covers dedicated outreach activities to increase the diversity of EPSO’s candidate pool, including candidates with disabilities and special needs. Inter-institutional information in this regard is shared on the Equal Opportunities web page on EPSO’s web site.

Communication to the Commission - A new Human Resources Strategy for the Commission

Equal opportunities, Diversity and Inclusion | EU Careers (europa.eu)

Homepage | EU Careers (europa.eu)

People first - Diversity and inclusion (europa.eu)

52. Ensure the continuous removal and prevention of barriers by all services for staff and public with disabilities (e.g. accessible ICT equipment and tools for online meetings).

The Commission is taking measures to remove barriers for staff and public with disabilities, including when it comes to the accessibility of buildings, information and events. More details have been provided below.

53. Strengthen reporting by the management of all Commission services on diversity, including reasonable accommodation for staff with disabilities. 

An ad-hoc multi-service group (OIB, DIGIT, HR) meets regularly to discuss reasonable accommodation for specific cases of staff members with disabilities or providing careto persons with disabilities. This group is working to find solutions that can apply to many other colleagues in similar situations.

Some Commission services have started reporting on diversity and reasonable accommodation.

54. Adopt, in 2021, an Action Plan on web accessibility, to be shared and promoted in all EU institutions,  bodies and agencies in view of ensuring compliance of EU websites, documents published on these websites and online platforms, with European accessibility standards.

A Task Force on Web Accessibility established mid-2021 to pool expertise and inform and guide the implementation of the Action Plan on Web Accessibility which was adopted in September 2022 is published under the accessibility section on the Europa Web Guide. The purpose of this multiannual action plan is to: 

• ensure that the European Commission’s web presence (including websites, mobile apps and social media content, both external and internal) is accessible to persons with disabilities; 
• support all Commission services in achieving that goal;
• encourage the exchange and harmonisation of practices across all EU institutions and bodies to aim at compliance of the whole Europa domain with the applicable standards.

Web accessibility action plan - WEBGUIDE - EC Public Wiki (europa.eu)

55. Improve by 2023 accessibility across its audiovisual communications and graphic design services as well as of its publications and events, including where relevant sign language interpretation and documents in ‘easy-to-read’ format.

International Sign Language interpretation is added on more and more corporate videos and recordings. In 2022, for the first time, the ‘State of the Union’ speech at the European Parliament was provided with live ISL interpretation arranged by the Commission. 

In audiovisual communication and social media the Commission uses ALT-text features offered by the various social media platforms. 

The EU's Publication Office provides support, training and expertise to all EU institutions, agencies and bodies in the production of accessible publications and websites. The pilot Project ‘Reading disability and document access’ mandated by the European Parliament resulted in a study, published in December 2020, and the forthcoming creation of a chatbot facilitating speech-to-text supported search of EU publications.  

Key publications for citizens are now systematically available in several formats, with font types, sizes, and colours carefully chosen to improve readability for users with visual impairments. Digital publications include alternative texts and long descriptions for the visual elements and are accessible for screen readers. New pilot-projects (2002-2024) include audiobook, easy-to-read and/or Braille versions of some the most relevant publications.

Website on accessible publications  

Study: Reading disability and document access, a possible approach 

56. Ensure accessibility for all newly occupied buildings of the Commission, subject to possible urban planning requirements  of the host countries.

The Commission has continuously been improving the accessibility of its buildings. The most recent building occupied by the Commission is the L-51 in Brussels. It was designed and built by a private owner and  complies with local legislation including rules on accessibility. 

57. Ensure the accessibility of venues where Commission events are organised.

The Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels (OIB) verifies the accessibility of venues for events that take place inside Commission premises in Brussels. Venues that are under the responsibility of the Commission’s Office for Infrastructure and Logistics comply with Belgian rules on accessibility. The accessibility standard EN17210 is being analysed to identify any need for complementary accessibility measures. 

For events organised in EU Member States, accessibility is guaranteed at Representations. Outside of EU Representations, DGT takes accessibility into account when organising Commission events at other premises, eg. for Translating Europe workshops, European Day of Languages, European Master’s in Translation, and others.

58. Ensure that by 2030 all Commission buildings follow European accessibility standards, subject to urban planning requirements of the host countries.

The Commission is preparing a study on the functioning of the EU Framework set up to comply with article 33 of the UNCRPD.The study is expected to be launched before end 2023 and completed by Q1 2025. On the basis of the study the Commission might propose actions.  

Register of Commission Documents - SWD(2023)95 (europa.eu)

The Commission met with the EU Framework on 4 October 2022. Discussions included updates on relevant activities of the Commission as well as of Framework Members, namely the European Disability Forum, The Ombudsman, the Fundamental Rights Agency and the related Committees of the European Parliament. A new meeting is planned for October 2023.

EU Framework (including minutes of the meetings)

A webpage including this monitoring table of the actions of the Strategy was published in May 2022 and is to be updated on an annual basis. The 2023 update was published in October 2023.

Monitoring framework

In 2021, the disability employment gap was added as a new headline indicator of the Social Scoreboard, used in the European Semester to track progress on social issues in the Member States.

Indicators about the situation of persons with disabilities as regards  the use of new communication technologies were published at the end of 2023. Since January 2024, data available include disability prevalence, income and living conditions, social protection, access to the labour market, health and care services, and much more. In the course of 2024, Eurostat will continue to work on this section by releasing new data on life satisfaction, access to education and training and leisure and social participation.

Database - disability

Overview - disability

The Commission will prepare the report on progress on the implementation of the Strategy for 2024.

Information on progress on the implementation of the Strategy reported in this monitoring framework will feed into the preparation of the report.

In April 2023, the Commission has submitted a report to the UN on implementation by the EU of the UNCRPD. The report contains replies of the European Union to the list of issues from the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted on 20 April 2022 (CRPD/C/EU/QPR/2-3). The European Commission, as focal point for EU implementation of the UNCRPD, prepared the replies in liaison with other EU institutions, bodies, and agencies.

The UN Special rapporteur on disabilities visited the EU in 2022 looking into implementation of EU disability policies including the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and published the report in February 2023

Report to the UN on the implementation of the UNCRPD by the EU

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities on his visit to the European Union

Work is ongoing on preparing a paper presenting the existing data sources (survey-based and administrative) as well as the data collection strategy.

Database - disability

Overview - disability