The Agency participated on the Day of Persons with Disabilities, organised on 7–8 December in Brussels by the Commission DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion in co-operation with the European Disability Forum. The event hosted close to 300 participants and focused on children and young people with disability under the theme: 'Growing together in a barrier-free Europe'.
The Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion announced that the Accessibility Act was published and is expected to be adopted in December 2016, after consultation with all stakeholders concerned. This act which will set common accessibility requirements for key products and services that will help people with disabilities at EU level to participate fully in society.
Presentations and discussions were focusing on the current situation of children with disabilities in Europe, on their access to education and how it contributes to the equal participation of children and young people with disabilities in society.
The Agency’s position was that inclusion is a process, not a state, and it requires a systemic change at all levels of society. The Organisation of Provision to Support Inclusive Education project and the European Hearing in Luxembourg were presented as examples of the Agency’s activity in the field.
Children with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities were among the panellists, together with representative organisations or groups of persons with disabilities, government representatives and academics.
The conference was part of the European Union’s wider efforts to promote the mainstreaming of disability issues in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the EU Disability Strategy 2010–2020.
The three panel discussions at the conference debated issues related to:
- Growing up with a disability in the EU,
- Situation of children and youth with disabilities in Europe,
- From inclusive education to integration in society and economy.
More information about this event and a full programme is available on the DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion website.