Towards a fuller life and more independence for disabled persons

Disabilities

One in 10 Europeans has a disability, serious or less serious and the community at large is starting to realise that it needs to adjust to their needs, not vice-versa.

People with disabilities must be able to lead full lives and make decisions freely for themselves.

Policies for people with disabilities are often limited to financial or material support, however the emphasis should be on fuller "integration" within the community.

In April 2006, the Council of Europe adopted a Disability Action Plan 2006-2015 which contains 15 action lines, including participation in political, public and cultural life, education, information and communication, employment, accessibility of the built environment and transport. It also draws attention to the needs of women and children with disabilities and severely disabled people in need of a high level of support.

The Internet offers enormous potential for improving the social inclusion of people with disabilities (online work, e-democracy, access to knowledge and information). However, particular attention needs to be paid to accessibility questions.

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The Council of Europe calls on European governments to strengthen measures to promote the rights and full participation of people with disabilities in society

On 30 and 31 May 2011, the Council of Europe is organising a conference in Odessa which will highlight best practice in seeking to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their integration and active participation in society and to strengthen equal opportunities and non-discrimination. The conference, which is being organised as part of the Ukrainian chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in conjunction with the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Assembly of People with Disabilities, the conference aims to support Ukraine in implementing an effective policy on disability, but also to contribute to the 2nd component of the Council of Europe Disability Action Plan (2006-2015).

More action needed for most vulnerable people with disabilities

Governments must do more to prevent the “double discrimination” faced by Europe’s most vulnerable people with disabilities, said Maud de Boer-Buquicchio on 2 December 2010, urging governments to use the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December to make a firm commitment to those most in need. (more ...)

Children with disabilities should not be isolated, Hayrünnisa Gül says

Turkey’s first lady Hayrünnisa Gül, who spoke on 7 October 2010 before the Assembly in her capacity as patron of the Turkish ''Education enables'' campaign, during the debate on the right to education for children with illnesses or disabilities, drew attention to the importance of education in general and stressed that children with disabilities should not be isolated from others. (more...)

Council of Europe calls for deinstitutionalisation of children with disabilities

The Committee of Ministers has adopted on 3 February 2010 a text recommending that member states no longer place children with disabilities in institutional care and instead give preference to community living. There are many concerns about the compatibility of institutional care with the exercise of children’s rights. (more...)

 

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Did you know that ...

... the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is held annually on 3 December.

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