​Accessible spaces – both physical and virtual – are the first vital step to equality. If persons with disabilities cannot access transport, shops, parks, websites and so on then they are not free to make their own choices and take control of their lives. The Commission’s ten-year Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities builds on existing EU laws to remove these most basic yet most significant of obstacles to equality.   

The Easy-to-read version of this text is available here.

Removing physical and virtual barriers

Millions of persons with disabilities have difficulties using transport, accessing buildings and enjoying our shared spaces such as beaches and sports centres. The virtual environment is equally challenging.

This can stop them from working, getting to medical appointments, socialising, shopping online, using social media and getting hold of the vital information they need to run their lives.  They may not be able to enjoy the basic things in life that many of us take for granted.

Existing EU laws such as the European Accessibility Act and passenger rights for persons with disabilities have brought progress. But there is still work to be done.

The Strategy sets out a series of actions to remove some of the remaining obstacles to equality.

• The European Commission will launch the European resource centre AccessibleEU in 2022 to support the implementation of accessibility policies across the EU. It will provide information and good practices across sectors. The goal is to ensure that persons with disabilities have better access including to transport, buildings, information, audio-visual media and communications.
• EU countries should make sure accessibility is included in all areas, including activities linked to the move to a greener and digital economy and should train professionals for this.
• The Commission will look at how existing accessibility laws are put into practice, identify gaps and see if more laws are needed.

We can all play a part in improving accessibility and make the law a reality. We need architects to design innovative and accessible buildings, engineers to build playgrounds children of all abilities can play in together, web designers to create online environments that can be used  by persons with disabilities and employers to create  accessible workplaces for colleagues with disabilities. Join the push for a more inclusive society.