Brussels, 12/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - "Why and how can and must Europe contribute to improving the life of the disabled?". This is the main question raised in the report by Martie-Thérèse Hermange, Vice-Chair of the EP's Committee on Social Affairs, relating to the Commission's communication on a "Europe without borders for the disabled". The report was presented last week with the participation of associations for the disabled, on the occasion of the European Day for the Disabled (6 December).
In order to improve the daily life of disabled persons, the Hermange Report mainly recommends: 1) the recognition of the key role of parents in the education of these persons and the need to give them a real choice for custody, placing and guidance in the care of these children, in the respect of traditional family values; 2) the fight against prejudice and ignorance that too often prevail with public opinion and the media, with an information campaign and above all the inclusion, or at least the consultation, of such persons in all actions in their favour; 3) a special effort on the part of the Member States to come to a coordinated definition of "disabled" and for coordination of conditions for granting handicap allowances; 4) mobilisation for adapting all transport means to the needs of the disabled, in an intelligent manner (what point is there having an accessible train if the station itself is not accessible?, asks Ms Hermange's report).