European Disability Forum

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🇪🇺 A #Bruxelles ho incontrato @IVardakastanis, presidente del Forum Europeo sulla Disabilità. È stato un confronto franco e concreto su un punto essenziale: inclusione e accessibilità sono priorità politiche. 🏘La politica di coesione ha già contribuito a cambiare la vita di molte persone e famiglie in tutta Europa: scuole più accessibili, servizi sociali più vicini ai cittadini, spazi pubblici e trasporti pensati per tutti. Questo è il valore aggiunto europeo quando le risorse sono utilizzate bene e con una visione chiara. 🛠Siamo pienamente impegnati affinché la politica di coesione continui a essere lo strumento europeo più capace di dare risposte concrete alle persone con disabilità e alle categorie più esposte. Attraverso investimenti mirati, servizi accessibili, infrastrutture inclusive e sostegno alle comunità locali possiamo davvero fare la differenza. 🤝 Al presidente Vardakastanis ho manifestato la mia piena disponibilità a lavorare insieme per rafforzare ulteriormente accessibilità e inclusione nei territori europei. 🇬🇧 In #Brussels I met with Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum. 🏘 It was a frank and concrete exchange on an essential point: inclusion and accessibility are political priorities. Cohesion policy has already helped change the lives of many people and families across Europe: more accessible schools, social services closer to citizens, public spaces and transport designed for everyone. This is the European added value when resources are used well and with a clear vision. 🛠 We are fully committed to ensuring that cohesion policy continues to be the European instrument most capable of delivering concrete responses to persons with disabilities and the most vulnerable groups. Through targeted investments, accessible services, inclusive infrastructure and support to local communities, we can truly make a difference. 🤝 I also expressed to President Vardakastanis my full willingness to work together to further strengthen accessibility and inclusion across European territories.

From the European Parliament's Disability Rights Week to #EDPD2025, December is a highlight for #DisabilityRights in the EU. Read our summary of the #EPDisability Rights Week: edf-feph.org/european-parli… And about the recent work of Disability Intergroup: mailchi.mp/edf-feph.org/d…

We note that there is a lack of actions on supportting #accessible housing. This must be corrected. Our reaction: edf-feph.org/persons-with-d…

Legal capacity is a human right, yet across the EU, millions of persons with disabilities are still denied the freedom to make decisions about their own lives. No EU Member State fully complies with Article 12 of the CRPD. On #HumanRightsDay, we urge action: equal recognition before the law cannot wait. It’s simple: our choices, our lives, our right. edf-feph.org/publications/h…

🇪🇺♿️La @ComisionEuropea concede a #València la Mención Honorífica por emergencias inclusivas. Por primera vez una ciudad europea recibe dos menciones, al quedar en segunda posición en la categoría de Ciudad Accesible. 🏆120.000€ #Accesibilidad #Inclusión #EUAccessCity #EDPD2025

And the winners of the #AccessCity Awards are... 🥇Zaragoza 🇪🇸 🥈 Valencia 🇪🇸 🥉Rennes 🇫🇷 Congratulations to all the winners! @EU_Justice #EDPD2025

And the Special Mention to accessibility in housing goes to... Salzburg 🇦🇹

And the Special Mention to accessibility in emergency preparedness goes to ... Valencia 🇪🇸

Tune in now for the #AccessCity Awards announcement: webcast.ec.europa.eu/the-european-d… @EU_Justice #EDPD2025 #EUDisabilityRights

🗞️ Our December #CSOBulletin is out! 📌Comments on the EU Democracy Shield, #IDPD2025, COP30 & EU-US trade deal 📌Guest articles by @MyEDF & @Green_Europe 📌#CSOInitiative Redes de España 📌Interview on Citizens' Energy Package Read & share: link.europa.eu/74bmXk #EESCPlenary

"We must acknowledge that the current political environment around us has shifted. The era that celebrated equality, diversity, inclusion, and rights is being replaced by one of exclusion, division and deregulation." But colleagues, remember our history: we will not be silent. Because silence is surrender. And the disability movement has never been a movement of surrender. @IVardakastanis finishes his final #EDPD2025 speech with a strong call to fight against the current political environment

@hadjalahbib Our President @IVardakastanis reminds participant "Europe no longer has the luxury of reflection without action. Not when 100 million persons with disabilities still face systemic exclusion" "Commitments must be at the hear of governments' priorities and budget"

The EU Presidencies of #Denmark and #Cyprus open the session: - Denmark focus on the need to ensure independent living in the community - Cyprus commits to continue working on a strong #DisabilityRights agency with focus on supported decision-making and support services. #EDPD2025

The #EDPD2025 is starting. Join us for: - #DisabilityRights Strategy - Inclusive #EUBudget Tomorrow: - #AccessCity Awards - Preparedness Follow online: webcast.ec.europa.eu/the-european-d…

Πολύ σημαντική ομιλία @IVardakastanis παρακολουθήστε στις 10 πμ ώρα Ελλάδας ζωντανά από το Ευρωκοινοβούλιο webcast.ec.europa.eu/the-european-d… @MyEDF #IDPD2025 #DisabilityRights

📢 In 2019, 400,000 voters with disabilities were denied their right to vote. On #EDPD25, we’re spotlighting the fight for accessible elections! In this episode of our podcast, @MyEDF discusses barriers, best practices & what still needs to change. 🎧shows.acast.com/europeans-on-t…

On International Day of Persons with Disabilites #IDPD, we denounce ongoing attacks on funding for civil society. Adequate funding is key to this defending our rights. We call on the EU and its countries to reverse this trend. Read: edf-feph.org/international-…