LIZ LYNNE KEY SPEAKER AT EU EVENT ON EUROPEAN YEAR OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Apr 2007

Local MEP Liz Lynne, who is Vice President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social affairs Committee and Vice President of the European Parliament's disability Intergroup, today spoke at a key European Seminar on Social Economy and Equal Opportunities as part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007.

A series of events are taking place in the EU as part of the European Year for All 2007.

Speaking from Brussels today Liz commented;

"If we are to see more disabled people in employment, it is essential that existing legislation is fully implemented, particularly the 2000 Employment directive"

"My hope is that as part of this year, the European Commission brings forward a draft disability directive to outlaw discrimination in access to goods and services"

"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."

"Another milestone was the agreement earlier this year on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. It's now vital that all countries sign and ratify the convention"

"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."