OBSERVATOIRE EUROPEEN DE LA NON-DISCRIMINATION ET DES DROITS FONDAMENTAUX
O.E.N.D.D.F.
The European Observatory for Non-Discrimination and Fundamental Rights is a European Non-Governmental Organisation.
ID: 910380716313-26
Lobbying Activity
Response to European Disability Card
7 Nov 2023
The European Observatory on Non-Discrimination and Fundamental Rights stands resolutely alongside the European Union in its quest to create a more inclusive and accessible continent for all. The European Observatory on Non-Discrimination and Fundamental Rights expresses its full support for the initiative of the European Commission aimed at setting up a European disability card in order to promote the travel of disabled people by ensuring that their status is taken into account in the Member States where they travel. This initiative represents an important step towards creating a European environment where people with disabilities can enjoy their Fundamental Rights and freedom of movement. The European Observatory on Non-Discrimination and Fundamental Rights has made recommendations concerning the procedures for obtaining the European disability card, concerning the indications mentioned on the disabled parking card and we suggest completing the initiative by establishing recognition of disabled worker status from one Member State to another for a probationary period to be defined. Finally, it seems essential to us to establish a disability counting on a European scale to establish the number of people affected by type of disability. Recommendation 1 : set up a simple, fast and automatic procedure for obtaining a disability card in the country of origin. The establishment of a European disability card is undeniably an excellent idea for many to encourage the movement of disabled people in the Member States. However, for this initiative to be truly effective and beneficial for people with disabilities, it is essential that it is automatically obtained when the disability card is issued in the individual's country of origin. Recommendation 2 : establish recognition of disabled worker status for a probationary period to be defined The introduction of the European Disability Card represents a significant step forward in promoting the free movement of disabled people across Europe. However, to further encourage the free movement of people and in particular disabled workers, a complementary and more ambitious measure seems necessary. This measure consists of granting the status of disabled worker from a Member State for a probationary period ranging from 6 months to one year (to be discussed with civil society partners). The idea of systematically recognizing the status of disabled worker from one Member State of the European Union to another, for a minimum period of 6 months during which an assessment can be carried out in the host country, has many advantages. important for promoting the mobility of people with disabilities within the European Union. Recommendation 3 : mention the information on the European parking card in two languages including English. To ensure greater accessibility and understanding of the European parking card for people with disabilities within the Member States of the European Union, it is wise to provide that the information noted on the card be written in two languages. The first language must be that of the State where the card was issued, this is what is provided for in the current text. In addition, the use of English as a second language on the map will greatly facilitate the understanding of its content in all EU Member States. This multilingual approach will promote better card recognition, simplify the recognition of rights for people with disabilities on the move, and help promote the inclusion and mobility of people with disabilities across Europe. Recommendation 4: define the type of disability using pictograms on children's disability cards only. Recommendation 5: Write the card in Easy-to-read information (c.f. Inclusion Europe) Recommendation 6: Establish a counting of people with disabilities on a European level establishing the number of people concerned ty type of disability to better respond to their needs. Our recommendations are developed in the attached file.
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