We call for the full inclusion of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities in our response to a consultation by the European Commission on its five-year European Migration and Asylum Strategy, expected by the end of 2025. This strategy will build on national plans submitted by EU Member States earlier this year and aims […] The post EU must adopt a disability-inclusive EU Migration and Asylum Strategy appeared first on European Disability Forum.| European Disability Forum
Today marks exactly one year since the Directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card was adopted. We are celebrating this milestone with an updated page and Frequently Asked Questions section on the Card! The road from the idea for a European Disability Card to its adoption was long. We are still […] The post Happy 1st birthday to the Disability Card Directive! appeared first on European Disability Forum.| European Disability Forum
In this interview, we speak with Alícia HOMS, Member of the European Parliament (MEP). She has been part of the Disability Intergroup since joining the Parliament in 2019. Through her work in the Committees on Employment and Social Affairs, Transport and Tourism, and on the Housing Crisis, MEP Homs regularly raises the concerns of persons with […] The post Interview with MEP Alícia HOMS: “By prioritising accessible, affordable, and inclusive housing, the EU can empower persons with dis...| European Disability Forum
The European Commission’s 2026 workplan confirms that new actions will be added to the European Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030! We welcome this announcement, which reflects our long-standing demands and provides a clear timeline for action. It follows a commitment made by Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib to the European Parliament in December 2024, after strong […] The post Commission confirms update to Disability Rights Strategy in 2026 appeared first on European Disability F...| European Disability Forum
Summary The Conclusions present a clear view of the issues with independent living, but they do not provide many solutions. EU countries recognise the importance of personal assistance, supported decision-making, the need to support carers and the increased risks of violence and abuse for women and girls with disabilities. They refuse to mention that many […] The post EU Council Conclusions on independent living: good diagnostics but no solutions appeared first on European Disability Forum.| European Disability Forum
The European Union will launch its first-ever Anti-Poverty Strategy this year. It aims to ensure 15 million people are lifted from poverty by 2030. However, the European Union risks leaving behind one of its most at-risk groups if it does not place disability at the heart pf the Strategy. Why? Because poverty levels among persons […] The post The EU’s fight against poverty: ignoring disability could be its downfall appeared first on European Disability Forum.| European Disability Forum
The European Disability Forum (EDF) has signed an open letter with several civil society organisations calling on African Union and European Union leaders to make education a key part of their renewed partnership. The letter urges both Unions to prioritise inclusive, equitable, and quality education at all levels — from early childhood to higher education. […]| European Disability Forum
The United Nations estimates that 46% of people over 60 worldwide live with a disability [1]. This means that almost half of older people are part of the disability community. While they might not self-identify as a person with disabilities, the reality is that many of the challenges older people face overlap with those we […] The post The lack of long-term support makes life difficult for older people with disabilities appeared first on European Disability Forum.| European Disability Forum
Deadline: 20 October 2025 The Civic Innovation Fund (CIF) by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub supports pioneering ideas in civic education to strengthen democratic participation and resilience across Europe. For more information, visit fund’s website. The post Funding opportunity: Civic Innovation Fund 2025-2026 appeared first on European Disability Forum.| European Disability Forum
We suffered a critical security incident at our online event ‘Online Exchange on the Creation of Women’s Committees’ on Thursday 25th September. The incident has put the safety and wellbeing of participants at risk. We deeply apologise to attendees and take full responsibility for this incident. We are still investigating possible causes. We reacted as […] The post Public statement: security incident at EDF’s online event appeared first on European Disability Forum.| European Disability Forum
EDF hosted a joint online event with Oracle on 11 September 2025 to discuss the practical implementation of accessibility in ICT products and services. The chat took place between: Chuck Adams, Senior Principal of Accessibility Standards at Oracle Accessibility Program Office. Catherine Naughton, Executive Director of the European Disability Forum. Summary Conclusions from the meeting […]| European Disability Forum
The European Disability Forum submitted this contribution in response to the Committee’s call for written inputs regarding the implementation of Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies – in the context of the war in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Our observations […]| European Disability Forum
The European Disability Forum submitted this contribution in response to the Committee’s call for written inputs regarding the implementation of Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies – in the context of the war in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Our observations […]| European Disability Forum
You can find the documents with images below.Click the links to open and read them.They are available in Word and PDF formats. Our event on the right to decide ETR (Word document) Our event on the right to decide ETR (PDF document) We are the European Disability Forum. We are an organisation that protects the […]| European Disability Forum
A delegation led by our President met the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, on 28 May to advocate for clear actions to advance our rights. Vice-President Mînzatu is responsible for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness and, notably, oversees the work of the Commissioner for Equality. During the meeting we […]| European Disability Forum
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities hosted the Public Dialogue to review the European Union’s Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 11 and 12 March. The European Union publicly explained how it’s advancing disability rights during this Dialogue. You can read a complete summary […]| European Disability Forum
It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the passing of Anna Drabarz, our dedicated Board member, legal scholar, and passionate advocate for persons with disabilities. Anna leaves behind a profound legacy of advancing equality, accessibility, and human rights in Poland and across Europe. A distinguished researcher specialised in international and EU law, Anna […]| European Disability Forum
The rights of women and girls with disabilities are neglected in the EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights, a flagship initiative presented on 7 March. This means that more than 1 in 4 women will still be left behind in EU decision-making processes. We recognise that the EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights is an important political […]| European Disability Forum
Statement updated 28/02: Information about date of release of Roadmap corrected. More than 1 in 4 women in the EU has a disability. Their rights and needs are often excluded from laws and policies, including those related to disability and/or gender equality. This happens despite women with disabilities being disproportionately discriminated against and subject to […]| European Disability Forum
The 2024 European Day of Persons with Disabilities (EDPD) conference will take place in Brussels on 28-29 November. Hosted by the European Commission in partnership with the European Disability Forum, the event aims to raise awareness and address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of […]| European Disability Forum
Event Details Organisers: European Disability Forum (EDF) and Global Disability Summit (GDS) Secretariat Audience (by invite-only): Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) from Eastern/Central Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. Consultation Objective: The aim of this OPD consultation is to involve OPDs in Eastern/Central Europe and Central Asia in the GDS process and the European Regional Disability Summit […]| European Disability Forum
EDF representatives – led by Thorkild Olesen, EDF Executive Committee Member – participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 which was held in Berlin on 11 and 12 June 2024. This event, co-organised by the governments of Germany and Ukraine, continues the series of high-level meetings aimed at the swift recovery and long-term reconstruction of […]| European Disability Forum
Download this statement in PDF Note: We use some technical terms in this statement. These are explained in a glossary at the end. Digital accessibility is a fundamental part of an inclusive society. Accessible websites and online services ensure that people’s individual preferences and needs can be met, using mainstream devices, operating systems features or […]| European Disability Forum
