The European Commission made a proposal for a directive on a European Accessibility Act, which will set common accessibility requirements for certain key products and services, and will help people with disabilities at EU level to participate fully in society.

The EESC is currently preparing an opinion on the Commission's proposal . On 13 April 2016, the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) will hold a public hearing in conjunction with the work on this opinion.

The conclusions of the hearing will feed directly into the work of the drafting group which will hold its second meeting in the afternoon of the same day.

The UN CRPD and its Optional Protocol were adopted by the EU in 2010. They are the first international human rights convention ever to be signed and ratified by the EU.The EU has to periodically submit to the UN CPRD Committee a report detailing the measures taken to implement the convention. The first report was submitted in 2014, and in 2015 the UN Committee responded with a series of recommendations (“concluding observations” - COs) on how the EU can, within its remit, promote and safeguard the rights of people with disabilities in Europe.

The EESC is currently drafting an own-initiative opinion focussing on the implications of the CO's for future EU disability policy. The objective of the hearing is to offer a forum for debate and gather contributions from relevant stakeholders.

The conclusions of the hearing will feed directly into the work of the drafting group which will hold its second meeting in the afternoon of the same day.

What is the role of the media in raising awareness on disability rights and combating stigma towards persons with disability?
How can the Media help in portraying persons with disability in a manner consistent with a human rights approach to disability?
What can be done to enhance the voice of persons with disability in the Media?
The EESC Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on "Communicating disability Rights" on 28 June 2019, where we will try to give an answer to these questions.

Your participation and input is most welcome!

The EESC and its Permanent Study group on Disability rights are organizing a public hearing on the situation of refugees and migrants with disabilities on 14 February 2017.

The objective of the hearing is to draw attention on the situation of refugees and migrants with disabilities, by raising awareness among organizations working with them on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities.

In the first part we will focus on the situation in Greece and will present the report and recommendations issuing from the EESC visit to Lesbos and Athens in October 2016. In the second part we will enlarge the picture and look at what the EU and civil society can do to tackle the crisis in particular with regard to vulnerable refugees and migrants.

Your presence and input are most welcome!