FIMITIC

Brussels, 9 October 2012 /// Access conditions for persons with reduced mobility to transport as a whole need to be further improved while securing a sustainable business environment for the rail sector. This was the main message of a conference organized today by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), and co-moderated by the European Disability Forum (EDF), on the accessibility of rail transport for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.

• Malta ratified the Convention on 10-10-2012
• Dominica ratified the Convention on 1-10-2012
• Dominica ratified the Optional Protocol on 1-10-2012
• Israel ratified the Convention on 28-9-2012

154 signatories to the convention since its opening for signature
90 signatories to the Optional Protocol since its opening for signature
125 ratifications and accessions to the Convention
74 ratifications and accessions of the Protocol

14 June 2012 - The European Commission has launched Interpretative Guidelines whose objective is to ensure the correct implementation of the Regulation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities when travelling by plane (Regulation 1107/2006). These guidelines are not legally binding and the European disability movement welcomes this necessary interpretation that is needed to improve the journey for 80 million persons with disabilities.

> WHY ARE THE GUIDELINES NEEDED?

> WHAT IS GOOD IN THE GUIDELINES?

Brussels, 30 May 2012 - The Vodafone Foundation has today launched the Smart Accessibility Awards, 2012. The competition calls for developers across Europe to design smartphone applications which take into consideration the needs of older people and people with disabilities.

Copenhagen, 27 May 2012 - The 15th annual general assembly of the European Disability Forum (EDF) brought the whole disability movement in Copenhagen. Among all the crucial topics, the 170 participants focused on how to make sure that the EU will deliver results on the disability strategy 2010-2020.

Copenhagen, 6th March 2012 /// The leaders of the European Disability Forum gathered on the 3^rd and 4^th of March in the capital of Denmark for their board meeting.

14 March 2012 /// During the past three months, the European Commission ran a public consultation “with a view to a European Accessibility Act”. It is important for the disability movement to express the vision of all persons with disabilities on such an important legislation. A wide consultation has been set up within EDF membership and the final details of our answer have been discussed by the leaders of the disability movement during EDF board meeting earlier this month.

• 112 ratifications of the Convention
• 153 signatories to the Convention

Optional Protocol to the Convention:

• 64 ratifications of the Optional Protocol
• 90 signatories to the Optional Protocol

Mauritania ratified the Convention and its Optional Protocol on 3 April 2012.

Bulgaria ratified the Convention on 22 March 2012.

Mile Stojkoski is a person with physical disability who runs a marathon in his wheelchair 3500 km long through 15 countries in Europe finishing at the olympic stadium gates in London. His tour began on March 15th in Macedonia and lasts till the Olympic Games official start in London on July 27th 2012.

20 April 2012 /// Under the auspices of the upcoming Cyprus EU Presidency, starting in July, EDF together with the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled, met Ms Sotiroula Charalambous the Cyprus Minister of Labour & Social Insurance in order to discuss the priorities of the disability movement. Ms Charalambous expressed her strong interest in disability issues.

> CYPRUS EU PRESIDENCY