Kósa Report. On mobility and inclusion of people with disabilities and the European Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020
The basic premise of this report is that the human rights of people with disabilities must be upheld. It suggests that the Member States should not only sign and ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Disabled and its additional protocols, they should also consider developing national policies and strategies on disabilities in harmony with the European Commission’s European Disability Strategy (EDS) and the EU2020 strategy, as well as reviewing the existing national-level documents on this matter. In line with the EU2020 strategy, one of the most important objectives is increasing the employment level for the nearly 80 million people with disabilities living in the EU. The focus must be on long-term investment for people with disabilities rather than short-term expenditure. In terms of implementing the EDS, there is a need for more detailed and precise deadlines and mechanisms to be determined, particularly with regard to strengthening the role of the European Parliament. Issues considered in this report include: civil and human rights; the importance of data collection and consultation; demographic changes and a barrier-free environment; free movement of persons and barrier-free services; equal opportunities; investing in people with disabilities; and the fight against poverty.
