European Disability Forum discussed measures on disability rights with the EU Commissioner

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, met with a delegation led by Gunta Anka, President of the European Disability Forum, on September 29 to discuss European Commission actions on disability rights. The meeting focused on four main topics: the EU’s "Enhanced" Disability Rights Strategy, the EU budget for 2028–2034, the advancement of the proposed Equal Treatment Directive, and crisis preparedness.

The delegations welcomed the initiatives and consultation process but expressed the need for binding measures. They noted prospects for some proposed actions, particularly in the employment sphere, provided binding laws are adopted with active participation from representative disability organizations. They also expressed hope that the Alliance for Independent Living of politicians and stakeholders will secure increased EU funding to combat segregation.

The Commissioner promised that she promotes equality, including disability rights, as priorities of the European Union and in her interactions with national governments. She emphasized that her various powers provide a more comprehensive view of barriers and the importance of maintaining an intersectional approach focused on implementing existing policies.

The delegations noted that the EU budget supports the inclusion of persons with disabilities but expressed concerns that the future budget may not provide necessary funding and that there are no guarantees that EU funds will be used in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Preliminary results of an upcoming European Disability Forum report on national anti-discrimination legislation were presented; this report could help the Commission and the disability rights movement continue striving for adoption of the Equal Treatment Directive, which has been under negotiation for 18 years. Commissioner Lahbib thanked the presenters for the materials and assured continued efforts to unblock the directive.

Issues of crisis preparedness and response were also discussed with emphasis on current plans to include disability issues in the EU’s preparedness strategy actions. Gunta Anka, President of the European Disability Forum, noted that the meeting was open and constructive and expressed the need to develop policies aimed at improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. She stressed that for such policies to be effective, disability organizations must be sufficiently resourced and involved from the very beginning of the process.