 |
|
Update November/December 2007
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
This Update is also available in PDF Format.
|
Table of contents |
| EUD Members News |
|
| EUD News |
- ASORNA 50th Anniversary Conference, Pamplona, SPAIN
- 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All - Closing Conference, Lisbon, PORTUGAL
- European Day of Disabled People Conference, Brussels, BELGIUM
- European Conference on Media and Disability, Brussels, BELGIUM
- European Year of Equal Opportunities for All – Closing Reception, Brussels, BELGIUM
- New EUD DVD on UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities out soon
|
| EDF News |
|
| EU News |
|
| Other News |
|
| Forthcoming Events/Agenda |
|
|
|
EUD Members News |
Berglind Stefansdottir elected as EUD President |
During EUD Board Meeting at Brussels on December 15th – Adrien PELLETIER resigned as Interim President as his position was untenable due to EUD membership issue with FNSF. The Board elected Berglind STEFANSDOTTIR (NAD – Iceland) to take over the Presidency until the elections in 2009.
"It is an honour to take the helm of Europe’s leading Deaf organisation," stated Stefansdottir. "I am looking forward to working collaboratively with Mark WHEATLEY to develop and implement a bold agenda aimed at tackling enormous challenges that faces Deaf people from all over Europe.” |
Table of Contents |
|
EUD/SINOSZ Conference "Independent living - The Road from New York to Budapest" |
Many thousand Hungarian and more than 30 foreign deaf and hard of hearing people, human rights experts, key political figures and civil society activists, and the public at large gathered in Budapest, Hungary on December 7th & 8th 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Hungarian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SINOSZ).
Mark WHEATLEY giving a presentation
A rich program of events started on Friday 7th of December 2007 at the Hungarian Parliament where the European Union of the Deaf (EUD)/SINOSZ Conference "Independent living - The Road from New York to Budapest" offered explanations on the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges in utilizing the Convention as a powerful tool for change.
 Hungary signed the Convention on 30 March 2007 and ratified both Convention and the Optional Protocol on 20 June. Both instruments guarantee effective protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in every field of life. In addition to that, the Convention acknowledges the recognition of sign language, deaf culture, linguistic and cultural identity, quality education in sign language and sign language interpretation as well as the recognition and promotion of sign language use.
Among the speakers were Markku JOKINEN (WFD), Helga STEVENS, Mark WHEATLEY (EUD) and Steve ESTEY (DPI, Canada), as well as other prominent disability experts from Hungary.
Mark WHEATLEY at the SINOSZ demonstration.
On Saturday, December 8th the SINOSZ MARCH started in front of the Parliament building, on the bank of the River Danube, when more than 2000 deaf and hard of hearing persons gathered from all over Hungary, Budapest residents, international friends, activists, and the public at large created a "human-chain" in solidarity with deaf and hard of hearing people around the world to claim our rights to deaf culture, quality education in sign language, subtitles, and recognition of sign language.
For more informations and photos please visit the www.sinosz.hu < http://www.sinosz.hu/> |
Written by Dalma Földes (SINOSZ)
Table of Contents |
|
|
|
EUD News |
ASORNA 50th Anniversary Conference, Pamplona, SPAIN |
ASORNA - Asociacion de Sordos de Navarra (Association of Deaf People in Navarra) celebrated its 50th Anniversary during 2007. They have invited Mark WHEATLEY to give a presentation about EUD and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Mark WHEATLEY’s presentation.
After the presentation, Mark WHEATLEY answered questions from the audience ranging from Cochlear Implants issues to EU funding for support of Parents with Deaf children. The board of ASORNA then presented a memoir to Mark WHEATLEY for his presentation that the audience found informative and enjoyable. |
Table of Contents |
|
2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All - Closing Conference, Lisbon, PORTUGAL |
The 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities was launched in Berlin in January under the auspices of the German EU Presidency. Mark WHEATLEY took part in the celebrations for the end of an exciting year with the Portuguese Presidency at the Cultural Centre Belém in Lisbon, on 19-20 November.
The event brought together up to 600 participants from the 30 countries involved in the European Year, with, of course, a more significant presence from Portugal. The audience featured representatives from national authorities dealing with anti-discrimination and equality issues, national social partners and national NGOs active in the field and committed to the Year. Additionally, a delegation of EU-level NGOs, social partners and representatives of EU institutions (Commission, Parliament, Committee of the Regions, Economic and Social Committee) joined the end-of-the-year celebrations.
Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates and Commissioner Vladimir Špidla launched the event together with the Portuguese Ministers of Labour and Social Solidarity and of the Presidency. |
Table of Contents |
|
European Day of Disabled People Conference, Brussels, BELGIUM |
 On the 5th and 6th December 2007, Mark WHEATLEY attended the conference, entitled "People with disabilities: Active players in the Internal Market", in the Charlemagne building, in Brussels.
This conference marked the International Day of Disabled People that was set on the 3 December by the United Nations in 1992. Every year, the European Commission organises a policy conference around this date, in close cooperation with the European Disability Forum (EDF), which represents people with disabilities at EU level.
This year, the conference considered on one hand, how people with disabilities can contribute to the EU Internal Market while enjoying its freedom as active citizens and on the other hand how people with disabilities can interact with other stakeholders to strengthen the Internal Market.
Mark WHEATLEY raised the question of the accessibility of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the European Deaf community. Representative of the European Commission responded that they will work on it and to ensure that all materials will be accessible to the Deaf community. For more information about the Conference – go to EDF report below. |
Table of Contents |
|
European Conference on Media and Disability, Brussels, BELGIUM |
Johan Verstraete attended the European Conference on Media and Disability in Brussels, Belgium (December 7th 2007). The topic of the conference is “Hidden Audience-50 million reasons to think outside the box”. The purpose of the conference was to increase and improve the portrayal of people with disabilities in the media.
There is a general perception that people with disabilities, who constitute a 10% of the population, are clearly underrepresented in mainstream media.
Johan VERSTRAETE at the conference.
While there are some disability specific programs or advertising campaigns, very rarely people with disabilities appear in mainstream programs or in mainstream advertising spots.
Moreover, when people with disabilities appear in media, they are portrayed in a stigmatising and stereotyped way, appearing either as superheroes or as objects of pity and compassion.
Very rarely people with disabilities appear in a way which shows that they constitute, as any other group in society, a very diverse population group.
Very few people with disabilities work in the media industry which is clearly the best way on how to mainstream disability in the media.
The conference established co-operation, mainly at national level, between mainstream media and disability organisations which initiated a process of change of the current unsatisfactory situation.
The conference then disseminated already existing resources at the disposal of the mainstream media industry (producers, broadcasters, publicity and communication agencies and others) and disability organisations to show how things can be done in a more respectful but also more attractive way.
The conference was supported by a number of experts from media, advertising and disability NGOs with profound knowledge in this rather new field of expertise.
Action plans have been developed by the project partners in 9 different countries ( Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK) which are based on a co-operative approach.
|
Table of Contents |
|
European Year of Equal Opportunities for All – Closing Reception, Brussels, BELGIUM |
“To make an end is to make a beginning”, stated T.S. Eliot. As the European Year 2007 of Equal Opportunities for All comes to a close, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimír Špidla, and Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel’, underlined their commitment to future European polities on equal opportunities, social inclusion and diversity in 2008 and beyond.
Diverse photos breaking stereotypes encircled hundreds of guests at the Musées Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire in Brussels on 18 December at the closing reception of the European Year 2007 of Equal Opportunities for All.
Indeed politically, the Year 2007 marks only one phase of an ongoing European political momentum for equal opportunities, social inclusion and diversity. This view was shared by Ján Figel’, Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. “There is a lot of continuity, not only in the flow of time. We connect strongly with 2007”, Mr. Figel’ said, pointing towards the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue as an opportunity to bring the 2007 debate on social inclusion in Europe further, in particular as regards the issue of integration.
“Dialogue equals respect for diversity”, Mr. Figel’ said, whilst underlining that integration is not about absorption or assimilation, but rather points towards equal participation of all people in society.
Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, and Ján Figel’, Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth
|
Table of Contents |
|
New EUD DVD on UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities out soon |
EUD is now producing an information DVD on UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with Frontrunners 3 (Youth Leadership training program in Denmark). The DVD is to be launched in January 2008.
Mark WHEATLEY presenting a clip for the DVD
Mark WHEATLEY with Frontrunners 3 team
Screenshots of the DVD |
Table of Contents |
|
|
|
EDF News |
EDDP Conference in Brussels underpinned the EU failure to deliver an inclusive internal market for all its citizens |
During two days, on 5 and 6 December, experts from all over Europe analysed the gaps and proposed solutions to allow disabled people’s participation in EU Internal Market.
The European internal market rules aim to facilitate the mobility of workers, goods and services within the European boundaries. If these rules have as main objective to develop the competitiveness of Europe’s economy, they are also part of EU main principles and rights to be applied to all citizens.
Disabled people face numerous barriers when accessing goods and services, and most of the times, they cannot benefit from free movement, as non-disabled citizens. Overcoming the existing obstacles was at the core of the discussions undertaken by the 300 disability representatives and internal market experts from all over Europe, meeting in Brussels on 5-6 December 2007. The results of this traditional European Commission conference, organised each year in cooperation with the European Disability Forum, will feed the current revision on EU Internal Market rules. They will also nourish the ongoing discussions regarding further EU legislation to fight discrimination in the European Union, beyond the field of employment.
In his written speech, Vladimír SPIDLA, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities stated: “The rights of disabled people to an independent life are at the heart of the internal market. All people with disabilities should be able to move freely while keeping their rights as regards social welfare, they should be able to make their own choices as consumers and therefore, have access to quality goods and services at the best practice”.
The Commissioner also reminded his commitment to fight discrimination in Europe: “I am determined to undertake the work that remains to be done to complement the European legal framework in the fight against discrimination. Our intention is to put forward in June 2008 a new proposal to strengthening the fight against all forms of discrimination”
For the EDF, as highlighted throughout the conference, the problems faced by disabled people are specific, and it is only through a comprehensive disability Directive and effective harmonisation that the barriers can be effectively overcome. Referring to EDF recent collection of 1 300 000 signatures all over the EU in favour of stronger disability legislation, EDF President Yannis VARDAKASTANIS reminded to the EU leaders: “ The Vice-President of the European Commission, Margot WALLSTRÖM, promised last October that the EU will finally deliver to disabled people. It is a promise that has to be kept. The European Union has to free the internal market from discrimination and exclusion. The EU cannot just be the place for free movement of goods and services. It should be the place in which all citizens can exercise their rights on equal basis””.
All documents related to this conference can be downloaded from the European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/emplweb/events/event_en.cfm?id=1005
Download the European Commission Communication: “Situation of Disabled People in the EU: the European Action Plan 2008- 2009” (November 2007):
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/events/2007/eddp/com_2007_0738_en.pdf
EC Communication “A single market for 21 st century Europe”:
http://ec.europa.eu/citizens_agenda/docs/com_2007_0724_en.pdf |
Source: EDF Press release
Table of Contents |
|
An information society for all: the European Commission raises the goals |
The European Disability Forum welcomes the new EC Communication “To be part of the Information Society”, recognising the importance of accessible Information and Communication Technologies for EU’s social cohesion and economic growth
The European Commission estimates that around 200 million people in the European Union do not use Internet and that up to 30 to 40% of the population cannot fully benefit from the digital society. 15% are disabled people.
“We welcome this new Communication as it shows that the European Commission is perfectly conscious of the existing gaps and the priorities that need to be tackled. For the disabled users and consumers, accessible and affordable information and communication technologies are essential for a full inclusion in European society; not to forget that disabled people urge the industry to find new solutions that will benefit all people, including those with special needs” says the European Disability Forum.
The EC Communication analysis the current state of play and identifies the challenges ahead. In particular, the Commission warns on the risks of the digital divide if no further action is taken. It also recognises EU’s key role in coordinating initiatives taken at the Member State level, in order to overcome the existing fragmentation and disparities. For EDF, a very positive aspect of the Communication is that it states the need for complementary actions such as legislation and research incentive measures.
“As stressed in the Communication, in 2008 the Commission will push for horizontal e-accessibility legislation, following an impact assessment. We share this approach and we believe that it is the only effective way forward to guarantee access of disabled people to public websites, digital television, phone access to emergency services, public information terminals and many other services and products” said Carlotta BESOZZI, EDF Director.
In addition, the European Disability Forum welcomes the strategic framework for action proposed by the Commission to implement the Riga Ministerial Declaration on e-Inclusion, adopted in June 2006 by 34 European countries to promote an inclusive and barrier-free Information Society. EDF supports the European Commission’s call on Member States to agree on a roadmap on accessibility of public websites, by 2008, but also recalls on the need to extend it to websites of public use through legislation.
Of particular importance for the disability movement is also the proper implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with which all initiatives and legal measures taken at EU level, should comply.
By the end of 2008, a Ministerial Conference will analyse the progress accomplished by the EU and Member States towards an inclusive information society.
The Communication can be downloaded from this link.
The European Commission press release is available on this link.
|
Source: EDF press release
Table of Contents |
|
EDF secretariat launches its new traineeship scheme for a young disabled activist for a 5 month period |
The aims of the traineeship are three-fold :
- to provide a unique training opportunity for disabled persons within the secretariat of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and to provide the trainee with practical experience in the development and operation of EU disability policy and EU decision-making.
- to provide the Trainee with hands-on/practical experience of working at EU level with the EU institutions, in particular the European Parliament, and with European NGOs and stakeholders.
- to provide EDF secretariat with invaluable support and added-value that a young disabled person can bring with his/her experience and skills.
Deadline for the submission of applications : 15 January 2008 - Start of traineeship : 15 February 2008
The job description, the person's specification and application procedures are available on EDF website : http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=15893
|
Source: EDF Weekly Mailing 27/2007
Table of Contents |
|
|
|
EU News |
Disability Intergroup meeting addressed “Fundamental rights of persons with disabilities in the EU and beyond” |
The October EP Disability Intergroup meeting was organised in light of three reports that are being drafted by the European Parliament at the moment:
- Report on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU 2004-2007
- Report on Human Rights in the World in 2007
- Opinion on the European Commission proposal for the Multiannual Framework of the Fundamental Rights Agency
The European Disability Forum, presented the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as the highest-level basis for promoting the human rights and civil liberties of people with disabilities in the world. The importance of close involvement of the European Parliament in the process of ratification of the Convention by the Communities and its Member States was emphasized. It is important to ensure that parties ratify the Convention promptly and without reservations. The Convention is not just a human-rights instrument, but also a developmental tool.
Ratification of the Convention by the European Communities will require the consent of all Member States. The proposal for ratification, now in preparation by the Disability Unit of DG Employment and Social Affairs, will be ready before the end of 2007.
Full report and further information can be requested from EDF at janina.arsenjeva@edf-feph.org
Click here to read more about the proposed EU Fundamental Rights Agency Multi-Annual Framework :
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2007/com2007_0515en01.pdf
Further information on the EP Disability Intergroup can be obtained from the website : http://www.disabilityintergroup.eu |
Source: EDF Weekly Mailing 22/2007
Table of Contents |
|
eINCLUSION - Communication COM(2007)694 on the European i2010 initiative on eInclusion “To be part of the information society” |
The European Commission published on 8 November 2007 the long-awaited Communication on the European i2010 initiative on eInclusion. Among other issues, the Commission is proposing the following measures to bridge the eAccessibility gap:
- ICT industry should rapidly commit to putting in place in the 2008-2010 timeframe solutions to make use of Digital Television and of electronic communications (‘total conversation’) accessible to people with disabilities;
- Industry and users should continue their cooperation with the European Standardisation Organisations to pursue standardisation efforts, notably for public procurement of accessible ICT products and services.
- Industry-user cooperation should continue in order to in place a European training programme on Inclusive ICT Design no later than the end of 2008.
- Member States are called upon to agree by mid-2008 on a roadmap for accessibility of public websites.
- The Commission will co-finance a pilot on accessible digital television and possibly, a pilot on ‘total conversation’ and common approached to web accessibility
- The Commission will work towards a horizontal legislative approach for an accessible information society, to guarantee equal rights and an effective internal market. A public consultation and an impact assessment in the first half of 2008 will provide input for a possible proposal from the Commission on eAccessibility legislation in the second half of 2008.
|
Source: EDF Weekly Mailing 22/2007
Table of Contents |
|
NON-DISCRIMINATION – European Commission published its annual brochure on non-discrimination “Putting Equality into Practice” |
“Putting Equality into Practice”, the European Commission’s annual brochure on non-discrimination, is now available online in 20 languages.
This edition focuses on positive action and the role such measures can play in employment and other spheres. Articles from experts in the field look at the difficulties in defining the concept and the legal landscape. A number of practical case studies of positive action are also presented. The final section looks to the future and how to make a success of positive action measures.
Printed copies can be obtained upon request to : empl-antidiscrimination@ec.europa.eu
The reports can be downloaded from the anti-discrimination website, click on this link. |
Source: EDF Weekly Mailing 22/2007
Table of Contents |
|
|
|
Other News |
Chairmanship of Committee of Ministers: Slovakia presents its priorities |
Jan KUBI, Slovakia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, presented the priorities fixed by his country today as it took up the chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers for the next six months. He emphasised an important role that the Council of Europe played in building democratic Slovakia and reiterated his country's support to the implementation of the Council of Europe values, standards and principles.
Slovakia's priorities will be based around three broad themes:
1. Promoting a citizens' Europe:
a. the Slovak Chairmanship will emphasise the Council of Europe's need for openness, engagement, responsibility and efficiency as well as its need for solidarity with non-governmental organisations and civil society, in relation to its activities and further development;
b. it will seek to implement the recommendations concerning the functioning of the Forum for the Future of Democracy and support the work of the Ad hoc Committee on e-democracy to develop a set of generic e-democracy tools and guidelines on the scope and implementation of e-democracy;
c. the Slovak Chairmanship will support the early adoption of a draft convention on access to official documents.
2. A transparent and efficient Council of Europe;
a. in order to guarantee complementarity and synergy between the main European organisations, Slovakia will aim to further promote dialogue, exchange of experiences and good practices and to improve the co-ordination of activities;
b. the Slovak chairmanship will support the ongoing work aimed at strengthening the system of human rights protection of the Council of Europe, in particular the European Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the European Commission against racism and Intolerance.
3. Respect for and promotion of core values: human rights, rule of law and democracy.
a. the Slovak Chairmanship will strive to ensure the fulfillment of commitments relating to shared values and standards, which Council of Europe member states have signed up for;
b. it will lead efforts in the fight against discrimination, racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, extreme nationalism and chauvinism, and will promote the truth about the Holocaust;
c. Slovakia will pursue the objective of a peaceful, secure and socially responsible Europe and the development of a mutually beneficial co-operation, at the European and the international level;
d. it will support both the strengthening of security and stability in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, and the further deepening of the European integration process;
e. the Slovak Chairmanship will support the full use of all assistance and co-operation programmes of the Council of Europe that would change Belarus' attitude with respect to meeting the criteria for membership;
f. it will take advantage of the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to support the continuation and development of the activities in the areas of the protection of minorities, fight against racism and intolerance as well as against social exclusion.
The Slovak chairmanship will end in May 2008. During the six next months, Slovakia will organise a number of conferences and seminars, in Bratislava and elsewhere.
For more information, see http://www.coe.int/CM-Chairmanship/ |
Source: Council of Europe Press
Table of Contents |
|
New website on the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities |
The Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, at the United
Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), has launched a new website:
http://www.un.org/disabilities
The website in English is complete, while the new website in Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, and Russian will be launched in early 2008. |
Table of Contents |
|
|
|
Forthcoming Events/Agenda |
Ageing Deaf – International Conference April 2008 |
Date: 22-25 April 2008
Place: Wels, Austria
Website: http://www.lebenswelt.at – “spring conference”
!! Call for papers: abstracts to be submitted by 1 st November 2007 |
Table of Contents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial note
EUD Update is published by EUD in English with support from the European Community – the European Union against discrimination.
The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission, nor the official policy of EUD. The publication is for information only. Readers are invited to reproduce the information provided the source is quoted.
If you wish to receive EUD Update, please send us an email at: info@eudnet.org.
Should you wish to make any contribution or notify any e-mail address modification, please do not hesitate to contact the EUD secretariat, Fax: +32 2 289 7037, E-mail: info@eudnet.org.
Editors: Mark WHEATLEY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EUD, 29 Elsense Steenweg/Chaussée d’Ixelles #393/32, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel + 32 2 289 7036 - Fax +32 2 289 7037
|
Contact | Links |
|
|
|
