FIMITIC

The new European Commission took office last 10 February 2010, following the positive vote in the European Parliament on 9 February. The confidence vote was held in Strasbourg after a three month delay and a prolonged period of disagreement between the EU's two main institutions and after politician’s hearings.

Europe celebrates the Day of Persons with Disabilities – Creating conditions for independent living.

To mark the European Day of People with Disabilities, the European Commission organized in cooperation with EDF a conference in Brussels on 3 and 4 December. Representatives from the disability movement and decision-makers focused on "Creating conditions for independent living". The Conference's goal was to contribute to a better understanding of issues related to independent living, in particular economic autonomy, community services and assistive technologies.

On the 3 December, the symbolic date for persons with disabilities, the EU regulation on the rights of rail passengers entered into application. This regulation includes a chapter on the specific rights of persons with reduced mobility, thus guaranteeing important rights such as the right to transport, the right assistance by trained personnel, information in accessible formats and full compensation in the event of damaged mobility equipment.

On Monday 9 November 2009, the European Commission published its third Eurobarometer survey which aims to track perceptions of people in Europe towards different forms of discrimination and diversity.

This survey was carried out with a sample of 26,756 people interviewed in 30 countries (the three Candidate Countries: Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Turkey were included for the first time).

On 28 January, the Commission adopted its recommendations under the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Strategy. The report includes country chapters which aim at providing guidance to Member States. The recommendations also seek to ensure that the European Economic Recovery Plan adopted last December will help respond to the economic crisis.

On 14 January 2009, the European Parliament adopted its report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in the European Union in 2004-2007.  

The report notes the unsatisfactory situation concerning implementation of anti-discrimination policies in the EU (paragraph 34), welcomes the Commission proposal for a Council Equal Treatment Directive (paragraph 36) and stresses a balanced approach to affirmative action (paragraph 42). 

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.

Brussels, February 16, 2005 - Proposal for first-ever European disability legislation announced by European Commission

The European Commission tabled a proposal for a Regulation on the rights of passengers with reduced mobility when travelling by air which will prohibit discrimination against disabled air passengers.
"Discrimination against disabled people is completely against the European Union ideal" says Vice-President of the European Commission, Jacques Barrot

Brussels 20/01/2005.

A Conference on equal opportunities for people with disabilities took place on 9-11 December 2004 in Bulgaria. As the European Commission finalised enlargement negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania and set out plans to start accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia, this event brought together participants from these 4 countries.