Together for Rights
THE STRATEGY FOR THE RIGHTS
OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Around 87 million people live with some form of disability in the EU.
Yet, despite progress in many areas, persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers in access to healthcare, education, employment, leisure activities and participation in political life.
The Together for Rights campaign promotes a genuine Union of Equality where all persons with disabilities enjoy their rights and live as equals.
Our goal is to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the EU and beyond. We must ensure their rights, an important pillar in the process towards a Union of equality.
28.4% of persons with disabilities
are at risk of poverty and social exclusion
compared to
18.4% of persons without disabilities
4x more
persons with disabilities have unmet
healthcare needs than persons without
disabilities.
The strategy will help close
these and other gaps.
WHAT IS THE EU DOING TO HELP PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES?
In March 2021, the European Commission adopted the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021 to 2030. It aims to ensure that all persons with disabilities;
- Can make full use of their human rights.
- Have equal opportunities and equal access to participate in society and the economy.
- Can decide where, how and with whom they live.
- Can move freely in the EU.
- Are no longer victims of discrimination.
The strategy will bring positive changes to the lives of persons with disabilities, for example:
- A proposal for a European Disability Card for all EU countries by the end of 2023. The card will facilitate the free movement of persons with disabilities, making it easier for them to access services wherever they are in the EU.
- The creation of a European Resource Centre (AccessibleEU) to allow European countries to work together to make things more accessible for persons with disabilities.
This strategy is the EU framework for actions to create a more equal society. It contains concrete actions to make sure persons with disabilities can enjoy their rights. The European Commission cannot achieve this alone; it requires commitment from all countries and support from all of us. Importantly, change will only come if we involve those directly affected, persons with disabilities.
The EU and all its member countries have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It means that every EU country must protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
We must work together to make sure persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights and opportunities
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
The Together for Rights initiative was developed in consultation with advocates from European disability organisations and their members.
It will be rolled out online until March 2023 in partnership with 27 citizens ('Champions') from across Europe who live with different disabilities.
The campaign is organised around six themes that address separate issues related to disability rights.
- TOGETHER FOR RIGHTS – INTRODUCTION TO THE CAMPAIGN
- TOGETHER FOR INCLUSIVE CULTURE, LEISURE AND SPORTS
- TOGETHER FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES
- TOGETHER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
- TOGETHER FOR PARTICIPATION – ON THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND STAND FOR ELECTION
- TOGETHER FOR ACCESSIBILITY – IN THE VIRTUAL OR PHYSICAL WORLDS
JOIN US!
Your participation and support are vital. You can shine a light on existing barriers for persons with disabilities and help remove them. We hope you will join us in championing the rights of persons with disabilities by bookmarking the campaign website, signing to up our mailing list to receive the latest campaign updates and sharing and commenting on the content of our national Champions on social media. Join us to help unlock the potential of all EU citizens!
Follow us on social media and join the conversation using the hashtags #EUDisabilityRights and #UnionOfEquality