
Consultation on the European Disability Strategy
European Commission assesses progress.
SW – 08/2019
In November 2010, the European Commission
presented its European
Disability Strategy 2010-2020: A Renewed Commitment to a Barrier-Free
Europe. As the end of the strategy period approaches, the Commission wishes to
review its implementation.
Through a public
consultation, the Commission wants to consult stakeholders on the measures
and initiatives taken by the EU since 2010 to implement the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNHRC) at EU level.
The aim of implementing the measures and
policy initiatives of the EU Disability Strategy is to achieve a barrier-free
Europe. The strategy identifies eight areas for action: accessibility,
participation, equality, employment, education and training, social protection,
health, and external action. Each action area has its own overarching
objective.
The Commission prepared its first interim progress
report on the strategy in February 2017. In its report, the Commission
highlighted the progress made since 2010 and reaffirmed its commitment to
implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. For
example, in the ‘Accessibility’ area of action, progress was identified in the
adopted Directive (EU) 2019/882 of 17 April 2019 on accessibility requirements
for products and services and Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of 26 October 2016 on
accessibility to the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies
(Web Accessibility Directive). In July 2019, the Commission opened infringement
proceedings against Germany and other countries for failure to notify full
implementation of the Web Accessibility Directive (see article July
2019).
The European Commission wants to use the public
consultation to involve as broad a spectrum of stakeholders as possible in the
assessment process. The consultation
is open until 23 October 2019.