Press release – Disability rights need to be mainstreamed across all EU policies, MEPs say

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The report, adopted by 409 votes in favour and 9 votes against, with 109 abstentions, calls for an ambitious and effective updated 2025-2030 strategy that includes tangible measures, as well as legal instruments. EU citizens with disabilities still encounter too many barriers to accessing employment, social protection, education, healthcare, housing, and digital services, MEPs say.

Employment and skills guarantee and EU-wide definition of “disability”

To improve the employment situation of persons with disabilities and to increase their employment rate, MEPs propose an EU-funded employment and skills guarantee, as well as measures to improve access to training and education. The report also calls on the Commission to propose an EU-wide definition of “disability” to ensure that all EU citizens with disabilities enjoy equal rights. When public and private authorities fail to meet the EU’s accessibility obligations, there should be clear sanctions and penalties, according to MEPs.

Focus on women and girls with disabilities

The report pays particular attention to the situation of women and girls with disabilities, stressing the need to address the discrimination they suffer and to improve their access to healthcare, participation and protection. It also calls for better accessibility in sports, transport, products and digital technologies. Finally, MEPs welcome the existing platforms and legislation, such as AccessibleEU, the European Accessibility Act and the Web Accessibility Directive, but stress the need to strengthen and implement these tools.

Quote

Rapporteur for the file, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (EPP, Spain) said: “Today’s vote marks a decisive moment to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise their rights in the EU in full. We must turn political intention into tangible action in all member states, guaranteeing dignity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all. No one should be left behind in Europe. This is about people. It is about ensuring that persons with disabilities can live independently, access opportunities, and participate fully in society. Today marks a decisive moment to transform our commitment into real change.”

Background

In March 2021, the European Commission adopted a 2021-2030 strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities, including AccessibleEU, the European Disability Card, and the Disability Platform. The strategy comprised programmes and initiatives launched before 2024; with the report adopted today, Parliament is proposing new initiatives for the latter half of the decade.