Giving a voice to people with disabilities through petitions.

In March 2021, the EC adopted the new EU strategy for the Rights of People with Disabilities 2021- 2030 (see 3-2021 report). The petitions procedure at the Petitions committee of the European Parliament also proved to be an effective tool for protecting the rights of people with disabilities: there, on March 17, 2021, Alex Agius Saliba (S&D, MT) presented a draft resolution about protecting the rights of people with disabilities through petitions.

Petitions submitted by people with disabilities or on disability-related topics provide valuable information about existing gaps that appear when implementing the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, both at national and EU levels. The Petitions committee sees it as one of its essential tasks for playing a "protective role" in ensuring that the EU complies with the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in its political and legislative actions at EU level. 

The submitted petitions, which concern the equal treatment of people with disabilities, cover issues such as accessibility and social protection, mutual recognition of a disability within the member states, inclusive education and workers' rights. They form the basis of the report now presented.

The draft resolution also contains a number of specific demands for implementing the rights of people with disabilities.

Raising awareness of the rights of people with disabilities

One of the aims is to raise awareness of the problems faced by people with disabilities. It also calls for greater cooperation and exchange of best practices between member states. It also provides for continual consultations with organisations for people with disabilities and their involvement in all actions.

Measures to be taken in member states

Member states are encouraged to protect and enforce the rights of people with disabilities. As necessary measures, the report also lists designating contact points for matters related to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, improving their mobility, implementing accessibility and other steps towards inclusive training.

Request to the Commission

It also calls on the EC to strengthen its monitoring of the implementing of EU law and to improve it, wherever it is found to be inadequate for protecting the rights of people with disabilities. In addition to the initiatives in progress, communication and accessibility strategies should be developed, with the ECJ as well, to facilitate people with disabilities accessing justice.