FIMITIC

The FIMITIC Delegates´ Conference is held together with a preceded itemized socio-political Seminar, organized in cooperation with the host member organization, People with Disabilities in Ireland - P w D I -, which will take place in the frame of the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All

The Seminar entitled

“E-technology as a means of enhancing opportunities for people with disabilities in the areas of education, training and employment”

The German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs issued the following statement to mark the conclusion of the European Conference on the Integration of Persons with Disabilities held within the framework of Germany's EU Council Presidency: The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs hosted the European Conference on the Integration of Persons with Disabilities which was attended by renowned international experts. The conference was held under the motto "Education, employment, accessibility - empowering persons with disabilities". More than 300 representatives from the world of politics, administration and science as well as the social partners and civil society took part.

Brussels July 26, 2007

Air travel will get easier for disabled passengers in the European Union with a passing of a new regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006) to protect their rights. It is now categorically illegal to deny an elderly or disabled passenger to fly anywhere within the EU.

Berlin, Germany, May 2-4, 2007

More than 100 women with various disabilities founded on 4th of May 2007 in Berlin a European Network of Women with Disabilities. The founding members of 17 countries have been participants of the conference "A European Network of Women with Disabilities!" At the End of the conference, the participating women adopted a resolution including the aims of the network as well as demands for the realisation of an independent living.

The theme for this year´ s International Day of Families on 15 May, 2007 is “Families and Persons with Disabilities”.

The message of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the International Day of Families related to Persons with Disabilities can be read here.

The signature campaign aims to collect at least 1 000 000 citizens’ signatures to combat discrimination in all aspects of the lives of disabled citizens in Europe.

The European Union must respond to the call of at least 1 million citizens.  This is stated in the draft European Union Constitutional Treaty. We must not miss this opportunity to raise our voices.

The campaign “One million for Disability” runs from 23 January to 3 October 2007

On 4 October 2007, the signatures will be officially handed out to the European Commission and the European Parliament. At the same time, a gathering of disabled persons, their families, friends and allies will take place in Brussels, in the heart of the European Institutions area.

Visit the petition site at 1million4disability.eu, click here

Read EDF Declaration on disability rights in Europe, click here

New York, March 30, 2007

81 countries and the European Commission signed the Convention, among them more than 40 Member States have decided to sign the text of the Optional Protocol at the official opening signature ceremony on March 30, 2007 in New York.

The provisional list of signatories – being updated – is attached.
The focus will now shift to Member States and their national legislations.

The Convention will enter into force when ratified by 20 countries.

The unique role of the disability NGOs in the drafting of the new UN Convention was highlighted. The representatives from 350 international disability organizations were attending the official ceremony.

For the first time a United Nations Treaty focuses on the protection of persons with disabilities´ rights.

Bonn, March 19, 2007

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability will open for signature to the Heads of States and Governments on 30th March 2007 in New York. The event will be chaired by General Assembly President Sheikha Rashed Al Khalifa.

During more than 50 years of its existence FIMITIC affirming the basic human and equal rights has always attached great importance to the issues of women with disabilities.

Women with disabilities often discover that the social stigma of disability and inadequate care are greater barriers to health than the disabilities themselves.