14/10/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 14 October, the Council of the European Union formally and unanimously adopted two directives aimed at improving access to rights for people with disabilities. The first introduced the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card, guaranteeing equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment during short stays in the EU. The second directive also makes these cards available to non-EU citizens legally resident in the EU. Issued by the national authorities in both physical and digital formats, they will be recognised in all Member States as proof of disability or as entitlement to specific services. The parking card will, for example, allow access to reserved parking spaces. Following publication in the Official Journal of the EU, Member States will have two and a half years to adapt their legislation and three and a half years to apply the measures. Directives: https://aeur.eu/f/dw2 ; https://aeur.eu/f/dw3 (NP)