Brussels, 01/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 30 June, the European Disability Forum, EDF, met Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas (Transport) to brief him on the obstacles and discrimination that persons with disabilities have to face when they are travelling. The delegation's aim was to ensure that, in future, such persons are never discriminated against when boarding aircraft or just simply travelling in Europe. The EDF has urged Commissioner Kallas, who himself recognises that his institution is slow to work in this specific field, to act swiftly. Legislation guaranteeing access to aircraft is necessary, said EDF. Stig Langvad, who is a member of the EDF management board, and who also suffers from a disability, said on this occasion that access to transport is one of the top priorities of the Forum. It must also be a priority of the Commission, he added.
The new multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020 is to be seen as an opportunity to improve access to transport infrastructure in Europe, EDF states. Siim Kallas must ensure that budget increases do not entail more obstacles for those with disabilities, the Forum points out. The commissioner affirmed that he would give the matter his full attention so that transport funding includes the prospect of improved access. (G.B./transl.jl)