FIMITIC

The European regulation on the rights of air passengers with disabilities enters into application on the 27th of July. This regulation includes a number of rights for disabled persons when travelling by air, such as the right to non-discrimination, assistance and compensation in case of damaged mobility equipment.

The European Commission has worked together with EDF and other stakeholders in producing an information video, targeted at persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility, containing information about the relevant provisions of the regulation.

The new EU regulation enabling disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility to enjoy equal opportunities to travel by plane entered into force on 26 July 2008.

The new rules that will give disabled persons and elderly persons access to air transport comparable to that enjoyed by all other passengers flying to or from, or passing in transit though, airports in the European Union, with no discrimination and at no additional cost.

EDF has fought several years for this much needed legislation, and contributed to its preparation, adoption, and implementation.

The President of the Belgian member Association Felix Vanlaer has passed away on June 27, 2008. He was founder of the Association of Working Invalids - AIT - and the most active Chair for many years.

Felix Vanlaer was an untiring advocate of the Belgian working invalids and fighter for their human rights.

FIMITIC will remember him.

On behalf of FIMITIC Honorary President Marija Stiglic participated in the Slovenia based

1. Second Ministerial Disability Conference in the frame of the Slovenian EU Presidency entitled "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - From Words to Reality?" on May 22-23, 2008 in Kranjska Gora
2. EDF Board meeting on May 24, 2008 in Ljubljana
3. EDF General Assembly on May 24-25, 2008 in Ljubljana

On September 26th -28th  2008 for the fourth time the  “Kremnica´s Crutch“ – the Slovak wide  competition of people with physical disability  in singing, reciting of poetry and prose -  will take place in the premises of Toliar of this Middle Slovakia town.

Brussels, March 31 to April 1, 2008

 On the 31^st of March to the 1^st of April, EDF organised together with the European Commission a workshop for EDF members on the regulation 1107/2006 on the rights of persons with disabilities when travelling by air. The aim of the workshop was to empower those representatives from the disability movement to take on an active role in the implementation of the regulation at national, regional and local level, and more specifically in the setting up and delivery of the training to airport and airline staff on disability equality and disability awareness, in defining the quality standards for assistance provision and in designing the points of arrival at an airport.  

• Part 1 will be a common overview containing an assessment of the overall social situation, notably presenting current trends on poverty, social exclusion and inequality.

Commissioner Spidla officially stated at the European Parliament Employment and Social Affairs Committee meeting on 2nd April that the European Commission would propose non discrimination legislation on the ground of disability.

Herewith please be informed that Nigel Brander, the President of FIMITIC since 2005, due to serious health reasons by written communication unfortunately resigned from his function in March 2008.

The European Commission has launched a guidance note on the preparation of the National Strategy Reports (NSR) on Social Protection and Social Inclusion. These reports should establish a list of priorities and objectives of the European Union member States in the fields of social inclusion, pensions and healthcare and long-term care. 

The NSR will consist of four parts :