Disability, new European Strategy 2021-2030

Smart Chair, forward for all

7 March 2021

Guaranteed minimum wage, proposal for an EU directive for the social sustainability of work

18 March 2021

Published by Dario Dongo and Sabrina Bergamini on 12 March 2021

The Strategy for the rights of people with disabilities: objectives

It is therefore good to start from the conclusions. The European Commission aims to significantly improve the living conditions of people with disabilities inside and outside the EU.

'The realization of the initiatives envisaged in this strategy will help reduce discrimination, inequalities and help people with disabilities to fully enjoy their human rights, fundamental freedoms and EU rights on an equal basis with others, by 2030, to to maximize their independence, participation and dignified living conditions'. (2)

The goals of the Strategy, the document continues, 'will have to be achieved through a strong commitment by Member States, promoting policies and actions that will lead to accessible environments, inclusive education systems and high-quality health systems and effective pathways to fair employment for women. people with disabilities'.

The strategy will have to guarantee, between now and 2030, the full participation of disabled people in society on an equal footing with others, in line with all the European Charters, the treaties, the UN Convention and the promises that have actually remained on paper, or almost so far.

'Since its inception, the European project has focused on removing barriers, in line with its vision of unity in diversity. However, many people with disabilities continue to face obstacles, for example when looking for a job or using public transport. People with disabilities should be able to participate equally in all areas of life. Living independently, learning in an inclusive environment and working according to appropriate rules - these are the conditions that we must guarantee to all citizens to allow them to thrive and live at their best.', Helena Dalli, Commissioner for Equality - (3).

The barriers that don't come down

About 87 million of people live with some form of disability in the EU. The Commission's previous strategy paved the way for a barrier-free Europe, but what remains to be done is recognized by the Commission itself in the document.

'People with disabilities they still face significant barriers in accessing health care, education, employment, recreation and participation in political life. They have a higher risk of poverty or social exclusion (28,4%) than people without disabilities (18,4%). Over half of people with disabilities say they felt personally discriminated against in 2019'.

On this condition the tsunami of the pandemic was already precarious and aggravated obstacles and inequalities. Those living in residential facilities have experienced higher infection rates and the severe consequences of isolation dictated by lockdown and physical distancing measures. Social services contracted. And perhaps the consequences of the limited accessibility to telecommunications and the tools necessary for videoconferencing, remote connections, purchases will have to be thoroughly analyzed. online, smart working. Not to mention distance learning, which Istat in Italy says has excluded 23% of students with disabilities.

The actions of the Strategy to 2030

The strategy Europe to 2030 provides for actions in the field of accessibility, respect and guarantee of the rights of movement and democratic participation, improvements in the quality of life and independence. This means independent living conditions, new skills for new jobs, consolidation of social protection systems. Again: equal access and non-discrimination, which mean access to justice, social protection, the health system, inclusive and accessible education, art, culture, sport and tourism. A book of promises?

Among the flagship initiatives: in 2022 the European Commission will launch the European Resource Center AccessibleEU to create a knowledge base with information and good practices on accessibility in all sectors. It will propose to create, by the end of 2023, a European disability card for all European countries which will facilitate the mutual recognition of status of disability between Member States, helping people with disabilities to exercise their right to free movement. Also for 2022, the Commission is committed to presenting a package to improve the labor market for people with disabilities.

The new strategy European Union is divided into three fields: rights in the EU, independent life and autonomy, non-discrimination and equal opportunities. Disabled people have the same right as other European citizens to move to another country and to participate in political life: writing all this in black and white is the plastic demonstration of how much these rights are not yet guaranteed. They have the right to live independently and to choose where and with whom to live. The strategy also reaffirms equal access to services, employment, justice, education, culture and sport. And the right to non-discrimination.

To implement the Strategy, the Commission will establish the Disability Platform, bringing together the national authorities responsible for implementing the Convention, organizations of persons with disabilities and the Commission itself, to support the implementation of the strategy and strengthen cooperation. Disability issues will be integrated into European policies and major EU initiatives.

The Europe of inequality

Europe equality is in fact far away. Only 50,8% of disabled people have a job (compared to 75% of the rest of the population). 28,4% of people with disabilities are at risk of poverty or social exclusion (vs 18,4% of people without disabilities). 52% of disabled people felt discriminated against. People with disabilities report unmet health needs four times more than others. 20.3% of young people with disabilities drop out of school prematurely, compared to 9,8% of other students (data present in the 2021-2030 Strategy).

People with disabilities suffer higher housing costs. In 2019, over one in 10 disabled people in the EU (an average of 11,1%) lives in households where housing weighs heavily on disposable income (meaning it accounts for over 40%) compared to 9,1% of people without disabilities (4). Disability is a primary risk factor for poverty (5).

Short Notes

It is early to comment on the 'new strategy'. 15 years have already passed since the adoption of the 'UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'and the levels of discrimination in the European Union are still so serious as to prevent a dignified life for people with disabilities and their families, who are effectively excluded from most of the social contexts of reference. We now await the facts, the social inclusion long preached and never realized. # We are no longer patient! '

Dario Dongo and Sabrina Bergamini

Note

1) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html

2) Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=8376&furtherPubs=yes

3) Press release. A Union of equality: the European Commission presents the strategy for the rights of people with disabilities 2021-2030
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/it/ip_21_810

4) Housing costs heavier burden for people with disabilities, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20210310-2?redirect=%2Feurostat%2F

5) Disability and poverty, the Eurostat report, https://www.egalite.org/disabilita-e-poverta-il-rapporto-eurostat/

readings: 1.345