Brussels, 30/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - A written declaration, which was signed by the record number of 447 members of the European Parliament and adopted at the plenary session of the EP held in Brussels on 23 June, calls on the Commission to launch a broad consultation on the feasibility of bringing in a voluntary system for labelling in braille and other accessible formats. This declaration is a major landmark for blind and visually impaired people. The text was introduced by the MEPs Konstantinos Poupakis (EPP, Greece) and Adam Kosa (EPP, Hungary), with the support of Cecilia Wikström (ALDE, Sweden), Richard Howitt (S&D, UK) and Eva Lichtenberger (Greens/EFA, Austria).
A press release by the European Blind Union (EBU) stresses that with its 447 signatures, this declaration “becomes the most supported written declaration in this Parliament”. It supports the institution's commitment to fight discrimination to which blind and visually impaired people are subjected when carrying out everyday tasks such as shopping. Lord Low of Dalston described it as a “historic victory”. “Without access to information, there is no independence, no choice and no safety (…). This written declaration puts the issue back on the EU agenda”, he said. The EBU undertakes to continue to work with the European institutions so that the right of access to information becomes a reality for all blind and visually impaired people in Europe. (G.B./transl.fl)