The EESC's Permanent Group on Disability Rights concludes a visit to the Netherlands
On 9-10 December 2024, a delegation of three members from the Permanent Group on Disability Rights of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), accompanied by a representative from the European Disability Forum concluded a two-day visit to the Netherlands.
During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to hear the Dutch umbrella organisation representing persons with disabilities Ieder(in) and representatives from public authorities, including the national police, about the Dutch policy on disaster risk reduction and civil protection.
You can read the report here.
Mission report from Country Visit to the Netherlands
A delegation from the EESC's Permanent Group on Disability Rights carried out a fact-finding mission to Greece, on 18-19 April 2024 .The aim of the mission was to gather information about the progress done in the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in Greece, as well as about existing best practices. The delegation met with representatives from organisations representing persons with disabilities and national authorities.
Disability rights - Mission report from Country Visit to Greece
A delegation from the EESC's Permanent Group on Disability Rights carried out a fact-finding mission to Malta, on on 20-21 March 2023 .The aim of the mission was to assess the progress towards de-institutionalisation and independent living. The delegation met with representatives from organisations representing persons with disabilities, national authorities and included a visit to an educational centre and a day care centre.
Disability rights - Mission report from Country Visit to Malta
The employment rate of persons with disabilities (PWDs) is much lower than the one of the rest of population. In addition, PWDs tend to be employed in low-skilled and low-pay jobs.
This has a cost for the individuals concerned in terms of economic and psychological wellbeing, for governments in terms of lost output and tax revenues and increased welfare payments, and for society in terms of the impact of social exclusion and discrimination on civic participation and public life.
The aim of the visit will be to look into good practice in the field of employment of PWDs in France, with a focus on disability - led businesses and social enterprises.
During the mission, the EESC delegation met representatives of national authorities, organisations representing persons with disabilities, private companies and enterprises employing PWDs.
Disability rights - Mission report from Country Visit to France
Following the EU's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and its Optional Protocol in 2010, the EESC committed1 to setting up a structure to monitor the implementation of the Convention. The Study Group on Disability Rights started its activities in 2015, with the following objectives:
To ensure practical implementation of the UNCRPD both within and outside the EESC;
To facilitate EU policy guidance in key areas highlighted by the UNCPRD Committee;
To facilitate participation by providing a forum for debate and structured participation for disability organisations (DPOs), civil society organisations and other stakeholders in the implementation of the UNCRPD.
Activity Report - Disability rights - Period 2018-2020
Article 27 of the UNCRPD entitles persons with disabilities to the right to right to work in an environment that is open, inclusive and accessible. Unfortunately, in the reality, the employment rate of persons with disabilities is much lower than the one of non-disabled people. During the fact-finding mission, the EESC delegation met representatives from national authorities, social partners and organisations representing persons with disabilities to assess the situation in Cyprus.
The country visit took place from 18 to 20 November 2019 in Cyprus.
The country visit took place from 18 to 20 November 2019 in Cyprus
People with disabilities who live in rural areas often face specific difficulties. Access to adequate housing, transportation, employment, educational programmes, and specialised healthcare may be limited. The objective of the visit was to look at these challenges and see how civil society and DPOs may have found ways to overcome them.
The country visit took place from 23 to 25 October 2019 in Ireland.
Disability rights - Mission report from Country Visit to Ireland
The EESC organized a public hearing on "Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030" on 23 July 2019 in Riga. Speakers were asked to reply to the following questions:
How have the current EU disability Strategy and other EU's policies and programs influenced the Latvian Disability policy?
what could be changed or improved in the next EU Strategy 2020-2030?
The report contains the main conclusions of the hearing.
Disability rights - Mission report from Country Visit to Latvia
Persons with disabilities have the right to enjoy good quality social services that make possible the full exercise of their citizenship and enable them to participate in society. However, a significant number of disabled people are still forced to live in segregated institutions, where they are unable to exercise the fundamental right to make choices about their own lives. The objective of the mission will be to examine the access to and quality of social services for persons with disabilities in a country with a tradition of big long-term care institutions.
The country visit took place from 3 to 5 April 2019 in the Czech Republic.
2018-04-03 to 05 - Disability rights - Mission resport from Country Visit to the Czech Republic
Inclusive education for persons with disabilities is a right enshrined in article 24 of the UNCRPD and foresees that persons with disabilities are not excluded from the general education system on the basis of disability. Italy offers some promising good practices in this field and the objective of the visit will be to understand the reasons for success and see how this could be replicable.
The country visit took place from 14 to 16 November 2018 in Italy.
2018-11-14 to 16 - Disability rights - Mission resport from Country Visit to Italy
Under the Multi Financial Framework 2014-2020, EU budget cannot be used for policies and programme that worsen the exclusion of persons with disabilities, like institutionalization. However, this is still happening and further monitoring by the EC and civil society is needed. The objective of the visit will be to look further into the use of ESIF funds in Poland, were available data is particularly scarce.
The country visit took place from 29 to 31 October 2018 in Poland.
2018-10-29 to 31 - Disability rights - Mission report from Country Visit to Poland
