On 26 November, the European Parliament held a debate on the mid-term update to the EU Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030, followed by a vote on the related INI report from the Committee on Employment on November 27. 

This report sets out the Parliament’s view on the priorities for the next phase of the Strategy (2026-2030) and proposes new measures. It takes on board the key requests EASPD advocated for.

1. Early childhood intervention

Developing a stronger and harmonised newborn screening across the EU to address rare diseases and prevent lifelong disabilities. This is in line with the European Commission’s guidelines to foster the development of high-quality family-centred early childhood intervention services, recognised as key to prevent segregation and foster inclusion.

2. ECEC and education

Moving away from segregated education systems, and ensuring reasonable accommodations, training, teacher support and curricular adaptation to ensure inclusive education from early childhood education and care through to higher education.

3. Employment

Addressing the significant gap in employment rates for people with disabilities. Proposals include an EU-funded employment, and skills guarantee and improved access to training.

4. Deinstitutionalisation and independent living

A EU strategy on the transition from institutions to independent living and community-based services, linked to the Guidance on Independent Living and the upcoming Framework for Social Services of Excellence. Measures should go from preventative ones – ECI, family support, and foster care – to the upskilling and reskilling of support workers in line with the UNCRPD.

5. Funding

Using ESF+ to boost investments to ensure public cares that offer quality community-based and home care services, long-term care and quality early childhood education and care. Services must be community-based, child- and person-centred, high-quality, affordable and accessible and promote autonomy and dignity for the people and carers.

6. Support access to accessible housing

The report also includes calls to:

• Ensure a robust implementation of existing legislation like the European Accessibility Act.
• Establish a common EU-wide definition of ‘’disability’’ to ensure equal rights and benefits across all member states.
• Pay particular attention to the intersecting forms of discrimination faced by women and girls with disabilities.
• Better monitoring of the current strategy's implementation and for mainstreaming disability rights across all EU policies and external actions, in line with the UNCRPD. 

The European Commission is expected to take on board the position of the European Parliament when coming up with an update of the Disability Strategy. EASPD will continue its advocacy, notably by contributing to the current public consultation: Enhancing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities up to 2030.

We encourage you to also participate in this consultation and to make the voices of professionals, families and persons with disability heard. The document presenting the consultation is also available in easy-to-read version.

To rewatch the Parliamentary debate: 16:52 - 18:18 EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024 (debate)