Brussels, 16/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - “I fully support Commissioner Reding's efforts to reinforce the policy and the already-existing tools of public procurement to help people with disabilities, especially in sheltered workshops.” These were the words of Ádám Kósa (EPP, Hungary), the first deaf MEP and chairman of the European Parliament's disability intergroup, following the adoption by the Commission of its new strategy for people with disabilities 2010-2020 on Monday 15 November. He also expressed his confidence that the European Accessibility Act, to be brought forward by 2012, would bring benefits. He said that the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, due to begin in January 2011, would have a key role to play in this process.
Although the new strategy mentions information and communication technologies and systems (ICT) as relevant issues, Kósa said that further efforts should be made in exploring ways to use sign language and the Braille system in the EU institutions. This could only be helpful for making jobs more easily accessible at company level. People with disabilities should be involved in the open labour market, but it should not be forgotten that many have significant barriers in terms of training and education, Kósa added. He said that better integration of the structural funds should help harmonise supply and demand on the labour market, including sheltered workshops. He also called for MEPs to be involved in the High Level Disability Group, adding that, in the EP, he would continue to speak out for and represent the interests of people with disabilities. (G.B./transl.rt)