Specific Disability Directive needed to tackle discrimination in EU

11.49.51am GMT Thu 30th Nov 2006

Presenting a key report on the situation of disabled people in the enlarged EU to the European Parliament this morning, Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne has welcomed the Commission's action plan for change but has said a specific disability directive is necessary to ensure discrimination is defeated.

Speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels, Liz, vice-president of the European Parliament's All Party Disability Intergroup and a long-time campaigner on disability issues, said:

"I would like to express my delight at having the opportunity to be the rapporteur for the report. I have worked closely with disabled people's organisations, the European Commission and fellow MEPs. I would like to give especial thanks to the shadow rapporteurs for their cooperation, the secretariat and, of course, the European Disability Forum.

"I also sought advice from a further 100 disability organisations from across the European Union and I hope the report reflects the fact that it is not just my report but a report from the whole committee.

"I welcomed the Commission communication but I felt there were some areas that could be strengthened with regard to employment.

"It is essential, first and foremost, that existing legislation is fully implemented, particularly the 2000 Employment directive. I know the Commission are monitoring that closely but certain grey areas need to be clarified such as reasonable accommodation or reasonable adjustment.

"It is also vital that trade unions inform people of their rights under anti-discrimination legislation.

"Whatever we do in terms of employment, it is of little use if disabled people are unable to access the built environment or transport facilities.

"That is why, among other things, I have called for further legislation on bus and coach travel, similar to what we now have on air travel.

"Education and training is also the key to integration. I have always said that Member States should work towards including children in mainstream education where possible but, at the same time, recognising that some children may not thrive in that atmosphere, especially if they have no proper back up. The needs of children must come first.

"We also have to really address access to information technology. That means, among other things, accessible websites. At the moment, 80 per cent of public websites are not accessible. All documents must also be provided in accessible formats by the EU institutions.

"We must make sure as well that disabled children and adults have access to sporting facilities.

"One of the most important areas is moving towards deinstitutionalisation of disabled people. This needs sufficient levels of community based quality services.

"We must also de-stigmatise people with mental health problems.

"When we talk about disability, we must remember that we are talking about all forms of disability - people with mobility problems, hearing impairments, visual impairments, mental health problems, learning disabilities, chronic illnesses and other, hidden disabilities.

"That is why I have called for in my report a definition of disability and I welcome the ruling by the Court of Justice on 11th July. We must now take this forward.

"Another milestone was the agreement earlier this year on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. We must now campaign for its swift signature and ratification.

"We must also continue our campaign for a specific disability directive under article 13 to outlaw discrimination on access to goods and services and that is what I have called for in my report.

"There is no point in paying lip-service to disabled people's rights. We have to continue the fight for all EU citizens to be treated as equal."

Speaking after the successful vote Liz Lynne MEP said;

"I am delighted with this vote but extremely disappointed that the Conservatives appeared to vote against my proposal for a specific disability directive"

Editor's Notes

Liz Lynne MEP's report on the situation of people with disabilities in the enlarged European Union: the European Action Plan 2006-2007 was presented in a mini-plenary session in Brussels this morning.

The ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Communities on 11 July 2006 in Case 13/05 (Chacón Navas) gave, for the first time, a ruling on the concept of 'disability' for the purpose of the directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation and clarifies the rules for protecting disabled persons as regards dismissal.

To see the full report go to http://www.europarl.europa.eu/omk/sipade3?TYPE-DOC=REPORT&REF=A6-2006-0351&MODE=SIP&L=EN&LSTDOC=N