In its 2026 work programme published on Tuesday 21 October, the European Commission confirmed that it will be presenting an update - including new actions - of the ‘European Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030’.
In a statement published the same day, the European Disability Forum (EDF) immediately welcomed the decision, which responds to “long-standing demands” of the movement and provides a “clear timetable for action”.
The organisation also points out that these announcements are in line with the commitment made in December 2024 by the Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, to MEPs (see EUROPE 13549/16).
At the 5th European Parliament of Disabled People organised by the Forum - which was held in May 2023, ahead of the European elections the following year (https://aeur.eu/f/j3c ) - the EDF presented a number of initiatives with a view to their inclusion in the new ‘roadmap’.
These included a European guarantee for jobs and skills, the creation of an Accessibility Agency, the establishment of an accessibility fund as part of the Affordable Housing Plan, and legislation on the affordability of assistive technologies.
There were also calls for a directive on full freedom of movement for people with disabilities and strong measures to put an end to forced sterilisation.
In addition, the Forum calls for these initiatives to be linked to a clearly defined European budget, so that “all EU policies and funding respond to the demands and needs of people with disabilities”.
Link to the work programme and its annexes: https://aeur.eu/f/j27 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)