At the end of their second negotiating session on Thursday 8 February, negotiators from the European Parliament and EU Council reached a provisional agreement on the directive on a European disability card and a European parking card for persons with disabilities (see EUROPE 13244/1).
Under the agreement, national authorities will be responsible for issuing these cards, which will be recognised in all EU Member States, in either physical or digital format.
The key points of this compromise include maintaining and strengthening the original aim of the directive, guaranteeing fair access to special conditions or preferential treatment during short stays throughout the EU.
This includes access to reduced or even free fares, priority access, special assistance and reserved parking spaces.
Member States will have the option of extending the use of the European disability card to periods longer than short stays, in particular as part of EU mobility programmes, while retaining the possibility of charging administrative fees for the issue or renewal of the European parking card.
A specific letter, ‘A’ could be added to the European disability card, indicating that the person benefits from increased support or is entitled to a personal assistant.
To prevent fraud, both cards will feature a QR code. In addition, an EU website will provide essential information on these cards in all languages and in accessible formats, while the Member States will also have to disseminate this information in a way that is accessible to the general public.
Member States will have two and a half years to adapt their national legislation and three and a half years to implement this directive. Organisations representing persons with disabilities will be involved in the process of implementing and evaluating these new cards.
When contacted by EUROPE, the rapporteur, Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová (Renew Europe, Slovakian), welcomed the agreement, stressing that it “meets an impatient expectation of persons with disabilities”. João Albuquerque (S&D, Portuguese), shadow rapporteur, described the agreement in a press release as “historic” for the recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities. The European Disability Forum celebrated the agreement, highlighting positive points such as the inclusion of transport services, the free issue and renewal of the card and guarantees for the protection of the privacy of cardholders.
Work will continue at technical level to finalise the text. The provisional agreement will then have to be confirmed by the EU Council and Parliament. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)