Situation of disabled people in the European Union: the European Action Plan 2008-2009

This Communication reflects the European commitment to ensure that disabled people are able to enjoy their rights. It addresses disabled people as citizens and active socioeconomic actors contributing to the construction of a sustainable and cohesive Europe offering equal opportunities for all. All the actions in this Communication aim to meet the individual and diverse needs of disabled people.

Progress in the key policy areas identified requires maximising synergies and complementarities with the activities of Member States. The ministerial commitment to tackle common challenges and solutions when implementing the UN Convention paves the way for national consistent and comparable targets that reflect the objectives of the UN Convention and the progress of the Commission and Member States towards achieving those objectives.

Cooperation between the Commission and Member States is therefore crucial, together with disabled people and other relevant stakeholders. The new annual meetings of European disability ministers will strengthen the European disability strategy. [extract]

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Situation of disabled people in the European Union: the European Action Plan 2008-2009