Disability Federation of Ireland asks EU Election candidates to sign their Disability Pledge
April 30 2024
Press Release - Tuesday 30 April 2024
The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), is asking candidates in the European Elections to sign their Disability Pledge. More than a quarter (27%) of the EU population aged 16 years and over has a disability.
The Disability Pledge has nine asks which include working to ensure the fulfilment of the European Union’s Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; joining the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament; and, ensuring preventative measures against institutionalisation.
The Disability Pledge and DFI's Manifesto on the EU Elections were co-created with disabled people who were part of the delegation to the Fifth European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities in May 2023.
Commenting as the Disability Pledge was launched, Dr Emer Begley, DFI's Director of Advocacy said, "We are asking candidates to be an ally to disabled people if elected to the European Parliament. There is so much that they can do as MEPs at home and in Europe to redress the balance for persons with disabilities and to work for, an inclusive future for disabled people and their families.
"One of the asks in our pledge is for elected MEPs to work to strengthen the protection of persons with disabilities in Europe and beyond, particularly in areas of conflict. We are also asking them to become an advocate for the implemenation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) worldwide."
Dr Begley concluded, "The participation of disabled people and their presentative organisations is key within political and public life of the EU and change has to happen also for this to be realised. DFI is calling on candidates to the European Parliament to make disability a priority and to work for disability equality and inclusion in the European Parliament if elected on 7 June."
The Disability Pledge (see text below), is available on www.disability-federation.ie and has already been signed by a number of candidates.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The Disability Pledge wording
When I am elected to the European Parliament, I pledge to:
Work together with the disability movement to ensure the fulfilment of the European Union’s Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Re-establish, and join the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament.
Adopt measures to maximize the accessibility of the electoral process to facilitate people to vote independently and in secret.
Promote the participation of disabled people and their representative organisations in the political and public life of the EU – including increasing the number of persons with disabilities working in EU institutions.
Adopt measures to support the development of a range of person-centred support services in communities for independent living.
Ensure preventative measures against institutionalisation.
Introduce policies and a new EU budget aimed at a more social Europe, supporting inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all areas of life.
Adopt further legislation ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities and realising their right of free movement in the EU.
Strengthen the protection of persons with disabilities in the EU and beyond, particularly in areas of conflict and by supporting the EU in becoming a stronger promoter of the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN CRPD worldwide.
The DFI Manifesto on the European Elections is also available on www.disability-federation.ie.
For media contact:
Brenda Drumm, Communications Manager, Disability Federation of Ireland, 086 076 4114 brendadrumm@disability-federation.ie.
ENDS