A stronger EU strategy on disability rights

The resolution passed by a strong majority of 409 to 9, reflecting the broad consensus that people with disabilities still face significant barriers - from employment and healthcare to housing, transport and digital services. Parliament therefore calls for the new strategy to be more ambitious and to include not only policy objectives but also concrete legal instruments.

MEPs propose the creation of an EU-funded Employment and Skills Guarantee to help people with disabilities access the labour market, retraining and education. Another crucial step is to create a single EU-wide definition of disability so that all citizens have the same rights, regardless of the country they live in. The proposal also includes sanctions for authorities and companies that fail to meet their accessibility obligations.

The report places particular emphasis on the situation of women and girls, who often face double discrimination. Parliament is calling for improved access to healthcare, protection from violence and the opportunity to take an active part in public life.

MEPs also draw attention to the need to strengthen accessibility in transport, sport, digital technologies and everyday products. They appreciate existing instruments such as AccessibleEU, the European Card for Persons with Disabilities and the Web Accessibility Directive, but call for their more rigorous implementation.

According to rapporteur Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, the current vote is a "decisive moment" to turn political commitments into practical action to ensure dignity, independence and equal opportunities for millions of Europeans with disabilities.