The pandemic is likely to leave a lasting impression on many people, not least people with disabilities. If anything, it underlines the need for Europe to honour the rights of people with disabilities and prepare for next year’s European Disability Strategy.
High rates of unemployment or poverty are common across Europe. Measures imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic underlined many vulnerabilities. The vulnerability of national healthcare systems, and existing support for people with disabilities.
COVID-19 measures affected many people with disabilities. They lost access to personal assistance due to restrictions of in-home services. Access to healthcare was also difficult. And physical distancing rules left many isolated as they could not receive visitors.
The EU and all its Member States are parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). They must thus honour the commitments made.
It is proving to be a significant driver for change. A 2015 FRA paper underscored how it is a catalyst for wide-ranging legal and policy changes across the EU.
The European Accessibility Act, the Web Accessibility Directive. And next year should herald the new European Disability Strategy 2020-2030.
This strategy should not only cover all provisions contained in the Convention. It should also mainstream disability rights across all relevant areas of EU law, policies and programmes.
