Towards Barrier-Free Europe

Towards Barrier-Free Europe. European Disability Card.

On June 30, the event was hosted by MEP Marek Plura and a representative from Polish State Fund for Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities. The keynote speaker was Marianne Thyssen, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility.

European Union of the Deaf attended the event to get some clarifications regarding the definition of the European Disability Card. Petra Söderqvist, our Policy Officer took the opportunity to make some enquires to Marianne Thyssen regarding the sign language interpreters being included in the proposal of the European Disability Card. Marianne Thyssen have made it clear that it is not designated to secure the interpreting services for the deaf people. That is an on-going problem as there are several national sign languages across Europe.

MEP Ádám Kósa commented that the European Commission is taking too long to propose the European Disability Card and European Accessible Act. He shared his desire that it is vital that we keep reminding the European Commission to get the work on the European Disability Card going and to release the European Accessibility Act.

EUD is engaged and observing the current situation and will continue to lobby for deaf people`s rights to have the freedom of movement without any barriers with the interpreting services for example.

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