Content
1. Postal Services
2. Non-Discrimination
3. Accessibility
4. Information Society
5. Single Market
6. Employment and Social Affairs
7. Social Protection Policy
8. European Funding
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1. Postal Services
1.1 Actions
After a period of intense work by members of the EBU, amendments to the draft revision of the directive on Postal Services have been included.These amendments ensure that postal services will be free of charge for the blind and visually impaired, after the opening up of the market in 2009.
The Committee on Transport and Tourism adopted the report on the revision proposal of the directive on postal services, postponing the full liberalisation of the market by two years, namely from January 1st 2009, to January 1st 2011.
During the press conference held after the adoption of the proposal, The keynote rapporteur Markus Ferber (EPP Germany), said that the member states have to ensure that Free Postage for the blind (Cecogramme) must be exempt from transport fees.
The plenary of the EP adopted on First Reading the revision proposal on the Directive of Postal Services. The political agreement is to be adopted in the next meeting of the Council of ministers of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy, on February 1st or 2nd.
1. 2 Actions Taken
EBU members concluded lobby work with their national members of this
committee, in order to guarantee that the amendments ensuring postal services
free of charge for the blind and visually impaired would be adopted.
The response was quick and the results were positive.
The plenary ratified the amendments that the committee of Transport and
Tourism approved: amendment No. 26 to Recital 23 states that “there should be
an obligation to supply free services for blind and partially sighted persons
introduced by the Member States”, and Amendment no. 47 to Article 12 states
that “Member States shall ensure the provision of a free postal service for
the use of blind and partially sighted persons.”.
We can say that our interests were taken into account. However, there is no
mention of either the need for physical accessibility to post offices, or the
virtual accessibility of postal services online.
2. Non-Discrimination
2. 1 Actions
a) European Guide against discrimination
b) Report on Mainstreaming against discrimination
c) Conferences
d) Public Consultation
e) Report of the European Ombudsman
f) European Anti-discrimination Law Review
g) Awareness-making Competition for European Young People on Fighting Discrimination
h) Parliament’s Replies
a) European guide against discrimination:
The European Commission published
a guide against discrimination. This guide has two aims:
Firstly, analysing what kind of data is to be used regarding equal
opportunities and discrimination and why.
Secondly, showing how those data can be obtained, working out recommendations
regarding this matter.
b) Report on Mainstreaming of Non-Discrimination:
The European Commission published
a report on mainstreaming of non-discrimination, including instruments, case
studies and presenting the way ahead.
The aim of this report is to support and promote mainstreaming of
non-discrimination at European, as well as at member states level, by making
practical recommendations taking non-discrimination and equal opportunities
into account when it comes to formulating and implementing policies, in
legislation and programmes.
c) Conferences:
Two conferences took place during this period. One of them was held at ministerial level, and covered disability in general (The first one of this kind). Topics included, among others, taking measures to fight discrimination outside the labour market, irrespective of its cause.
d) Public Consultation:
The second phase of the public consultation on reconciling professional, private and family life was opened up, in which the importance of increasing the availability, access, affordability and quality of child care, social services, and assistance for elderly people, the disabled, and other dependant people were put forward.
e) Report of the European Ombudsman
The European Ombudsman published
his conclusions on the European Commission’s efforts for facilitating the
integration of people with disabilities.
He emphasised the measures taken to ensure the access to the web of the
Commission, and measures facilitating the employment and promotion of people
with disabilities.
The Ombudsman especially requested the commission to promote more transparent
employment conditions for people with disabilities.
Furthermore, he criticised the insufficient awareness-raising measures among
his own personnel regarding the needs of people with disabilities.
The Ombudsman also asked for more financial support.
He said that the situation of disabled children in the European School,
managed by the EU for the children of their personnel, was inadequate.
F) European Anti discrimination Law Review
The European Commission published a review outlining the progress made regarding European anti discrimination legislation.
g) Awareness-making Competition for European Young People on fighting
Discrimination
The European Commission launched a
competition to raise awareness for the EU’s measures to fight discrimination,
aimed at young Europeans. The competition is called “The European Union and
non-discrimination”, and it is aimed at children and young people from 12 to
18 years of age.
Their task is to design a poster showing the idea of non-discrimination in the
EU. The chosen posters will be presented on the European Commission’s
representation websites in the individual member states, as well as on the
Europe Server.
For more information visit:
www.europayouth.eu
h) Parliamentary Replies
1. The reply to the question on the status of a specific EU directive, according to which discrimination of people with disabilities at any level shall be prohibited, was published.
Vladimir Spidla, the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal
Opportunities replied that the Commission had contracted the realisation of a
study on the existence of discrimination on the grounds of disability, age,
sexual orientation or religion beyond the labour market. The study is to be
concluded at the end of the year 2007, which means that the results are
pending until then.
2. The reply to the question of actions the Commission plans to take regarding
the situation of women with disabilities in the EU, in line with the
resolution of the European Parliament, was published. ,
Vladimir Spidla, the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal
Opportunities replied that the Commission’s annual political strategy of 2008
included a proposal of new initiatives, aimed at preventing and fighting
discrimination on the grounds of sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or
religion, beyond the labour market.
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3. Accessibility
3. 1 Actions
a) Air Transport.
b) Rail Transport.
c) Road Transport
d) Urban Transport
a) Air Transport:
On the 26th June, the provisions of the Regulation on the rights of Air
passengers with reduced mobility came into force.
The main objective of this regulation is to ensure that all passengers are
treated equally, including the elderly, those with reduced mobility, those
having a sensory, intellectual, or any other disability, and those who require
appropriate attention, as well as an adaptation of services available to all
passengers to their special needs.
Only article 3 (Prevention of refusal of carriage) and 4 (Derogations, special
conditions and information) of the new regulation have come into force so far,
the rest is to follow from the 26th July 2008, and it will be directly
applicable to airports and European airlines.
Regarding the coming into force of the Regulation, the Commissioner of
Transport, Jacques Barrot, stated that he would not exclude the possibility of
revising the regulation on the rights of air passengers for the cases of
cancellations, delays or overbooking at the end of 2007 if, after the adoption
of the European Commission’s report on non-compliance of Airlines, the same
problems and violations identified by the report should persist.
The commissioner planned a series of meetings with the national bodies and the
industry to try to resolve the problems regarding the implementation of the
current text of the regulation.
b) Rail Transport:
After the meeting of the Conciliation Committee on 19th June, the European
Parliament and the Council agreed on the third railway package. This agreement
is awaiting confirmation by the member states. The Parliament should approve
the final text in plenary, and then it will be approved by the Council.
According to the agreement, the regulation on the rights and obligations of
railway passengers will be applied to all trips, except for urban, suburban
and regional ones.
In certain cases, the member states may concede an exemption from the
application of the regulation to the transport of national passengers for a
period no larger than five years that could also be renewed.
It is also stated that certain rights contained in the regulation should be
applicable from the regulation’s coming into force, such as the availability
of tickets, or the right to transport of people with reduced mobility.
The railway companies are responsible for ensuring that railway’s
infrastructures are accessible to people with reduced mobility. The
international transport market of passengers is open to competition from the
1st January 2010.
c) Road Transport:
1. In Brussels the European Parliament adopted in second reading a Directive
on the type-approval of motor vehicles with trailers.
With this new rules, buses and auto cars should be more accessible for people
with reduced mobility. The Parliament ensured in the adopted amendments, that
vehicles accessible to wheelchairs have their own category of safety
specifications.
2. The European Commission adopted a new legislation package on professional
road transport comprising three regulation proposals, and a report on the
impact of excluding self-employed drivers from the application of the
Directive dealing with the limitation of working time.
The package includes:
A regulation setting forth the rules regarding conditions to be fulfilled in
order to become a road transport operator,
A regulation on EU rules to the access to the market of bus and auto car
services,
And a proposal on the regulation on EU rules regarding the access to the
market of international road transport.
Article 16 of this proposal contains the conditions related to cabotage
transport which should be taken into account by the host member state
concerning certain passenger categories, including children and people with
reduced mobility.
The Commission plans to ensure that passengers with disabilities benefit from
the same travelling opportunities as people who do not have a disability.
3The general director of the Directorate-General Energy and transport, Fotis
Karamitsos announced that the EU is going to work on a European Charter of
rights of passengers based on the same model used for the air transport of
passengers, in order to ensure that all citizens have certain rights
concerning the public transport.
Furthermore, the head of the unit responsible for the Directorate-General
Energy and transport, Eleni Kopanezou, made it clear that to gain independence
and the respect of people with reduced mobility in particular, accessible
transport for all needs to be ensured.
d) Urban Transport
An opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on transport in urban and
metropolitan areas was published in the Official Journal.
It was requested by the German presidency in November 2006, and adopted on the
22 of March 2007.
In the opinion accessibility by people with disabilities is mentioned twice:
1. The member states should feel obliged to contribute to social services that
demand reduced transport fees (for people with disabilities, pensioners, etc.)
of transport companies by means of funding.
2. For the European transport to work in a satisfactory manner, a system to
reduce social exclusion needs to be put in place, recognising that those who
do not have a vehicle to access their work place, school etc. (young people or
people with disabilities, for example) are particularly depending on public
transport. This fact was already expressed by the European Commission in «
Developing the Citizens' Network» from 10.07.1989.
3. 2. Actions Taken
All those negotiations were closely followed by the Council and the European
Parliament, and national EBU members have been informed.
4. Information Society
4. 1 Actions
a) E-Inclusion and E-Accessibility
b) Digital Strategy I2010
c) European Institute of Technology
d) Audiovisual Media Services
e) Digital Libraries
a) E-Inclusion:
The European Commission opened a public online consultation to prepare the
strategy on E-Inclusion that it is going to adopt at the end of 2007.
In it, The EC requested contributions from those interested in
e-Accessibility, inclusive E-governance, information technology for a cultural
diversity,
And for active participation in digital work and digital education. The
closing date for presenting the contributions was 15th August 2007, and EBU
participated with its contributions.
E-Accessibility:
The issue of E-Accessibility was discussed on the occasion of a dinner -debate
at the European Parliament. It was organised by the European Internet
Foundation, in cooperation with the MEP Lambert Van Nistelrooij (EPP
Netherlands). There were demonstrations of accessible internet and mobile
telephony products, from companies such as Microsoft, Orange, British Telecom
and France Télécom. The Director of the European Committee for new
Technologies and social challenges (DG Information Society) took part, and in
his speech he underlined that technology to make accessible products does
exist, and that introducing it into the market is perfectly feasible.
In his opinion, the main question is whether or not this is being done quickly
enough. He emphasised the opportunities regarding economic benefits that
accessible technology can bring to companies.
The president of the European Platform for the Elderly (AGE), Anne Sophie
Parent, said that there is a need of looking more closely at the concept of
“design for all”, and that accessible products have to be affordable on the
market. She also said that it is necessary to adopt binding rules in this
sector, and called for a legislation covering accessibility for people with
disabilities.
The European Information, Communications and Consumer Electronics Industry
Technology Association (EICTA) was also present.
They called for a solution based on voluntary codes of conduct.
b) Digital Strategy I2010:
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council discussed the annual
progress report for 2007 on the initiative i2010, recently presented by the
European Commission.
In the Council’s conclusions, the many economic and social benefits of an
inclusive society were stated clearly.
The Council invited the Commission to develop policies contained in the i2010
annual report, taking into consideration the role of users in the future
initiative E-Inclusion 2008.
The commission and the member states have also been invited to support
initiatives that make information technology more accessible for people with
disabilities and the elderly. It was also noted that public websites should be
designed taking into account the guidelines of the International Web
Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
Lastly, a call on the interested parties was made to develop and promote
products and services oriented towards the user in order to establish better
accessibility and development of products, adhering to the principle of a
Design for all.
c) European Technology Institute:
At a government minister’s meeting of the Competitiveness Council a general
focus was put on the regulation on the creation of the European Technology
Institute.
An agreement with the European Parliament in first reading is expected to be
reached at the end of this year.
The agreed wording comprises a focus of two stages. In the first stage, two or
three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) will be formed, and in the
second stage other KICs and a complete long-term strategy will be set up. The
budget will be of 308 million Euros, and the institute could take on its work
by in the year 2008.
d) Audiovisual Media Services:
The new text that will be adopted mentions accessibility to be included as
part of the article as follows: “Member States shall promote by appropriate
means that audiovisual media services provided by providers under their
jurisdiction are gradually accessible to people with a visual or hearing
disability”. It is worth mentioning that the wording “wherever possible” has
been taken out from the new text.
The three Parliament’s majority groups have committed themselves to adopt the
text, and to hold a quick second reading, in which all parts of their
commitment, amendments excluded, would be adopted after the summer.
After one and a half years of debate, the Council of Ministers for Education,
Youth and culture unanimously adopted the political agreement on the revision
proposal of audiovisual media services.
The directive is expected to come into force at the end of 2007, and member
states will have two years to transpose its provisions into their respective
legislation, so that the whole legal framework can be applied in 2009.
e) Digital Libraries:
A summary of the third assembly of the high-level expert group on digital
libraries has been published.
In the assembly information on the status of the i2010 initiative was given,
with respect to digital libraries and accessibility of cultural works, but not
from a disability perspective. 18 million Euros will be available to fund
projects dealing with digital libraries within the EContent Plus programme.
The Parliamentary Committee of culture and Education was celebrated. The
Commissioner for the Information Society Viviane Reding presented the
Commission’s work programme of 2008. Three main aspects are outlined in her
speech: the new legislation package on electronic communication, the next
communication on mobile TV and the development status of the initiative on
digital libraries.
Regarding the legislation package on electronic communication, commissioner
Reding said it would consist of two pillars, one to boast competition, and
another aimed at the single market for telecommunication. Accessibility for
people with disabilities was not mentioned regarding digital libraries.
5. Single Market
5. 1 Actions
The EP’s report on the proposal of a Single Market review entitled “tackling
barriers and inefficiencies through better implementation and
Enforcement” is expected to be adopted during the plenary session of the EP in
Strasburg to be held in the first week of September. The speaker is EU MEP
Jacques Toubon (member of the intergroup for disability, EPP France).
The Delegates of the Parliament’s Committee for the Single Market consider the
proposal to be “An opportunity of making it clear to European citizens what
benefits the realisation of the Single Market has to offer.” These include
involving the whole population, above all “Certain vulnerable groups”. Those
vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities do not have full access to
the Single Market.
6. Employment and Social Issues
6. 1 Actions
a) Celebration of an informal Employment Council meeting
b) Presentation of a Report
c) Celebration of a Congress and a Conference
d) Celebration of a meeting of the Parliament’s Employment Committee
a) Celebration of an informal Employment Council meeting:
The informal Employment Council focussed on “flexisecurity”, active inclusion
of the elderly and an efficient coordination of employment policies, including
the European Employment Strategy.
The adopted conclusions underline that the social dimension is a fundamental
one, providing the means of creating opportunities for all, and maximising the
potential of the European societies and economies alike.
It is also recognised that there is a need to improve the integration and
visibility of social priorities in the reform of the European social and
economic models,
b) Presentation of a Report:
A report entitled “equality at work: tackling the challenge” worked out by the
ILO was presented in Brussels.
The report on discrimination at the workplace analyses new ways of
discrimination based on abusive practices when hiring people with
disabilities, young or elderly workers etc.
c) Celebration of a Congress and a Conference:
A congress entitled “the offensive for a more social Europe, more solidarity
and more sustainable development” was held by the European Trade Union’s
Confederation (ETUC).
A conference entitled “Active Inclusion: Systems of Minimal Returns and
integration of people excluded from the labour market” was also celebrated.
The conference was organised by the DG Employment, Social Issues and Equal
Opportunities of the EC.
One of the special workshops of this conference was dedicated to access to
services and the integration into the labour market. The conclusion was drawn
that it is necessary to conduct periodical and regular evaluations of policies
on integration into working life. It is also important to show that in the
long run this is more convenient and profitable than staying in a system of
social benefit schemes and support.
MEP Anne Van Lancker mentioned that the policies of integration into working
life have to be widened to qualified workplaces, and that it is important to
guarantee sufficient wages in all sectors of the labour market. She called on
social speakers to engage in a more active and ambitious way regarding this
topic. She also said that she was in favour of a Directive against
discrimination based on article 13 of the Treaty.
The Commission announced that the second phase of the consultation on this
topic would begin shortly.
d) Celebration of the Parliament’s Employment Committee:
The Committee on Employment and Social Issues celebrated a meeting in which
the German minister of Labour and Social Affairs Franz Müntefering presented
the conclusions of the German presidency of the Council. His speech focussed
on flexisecurity.
He also mentioned that the German presidency met up with disability
organisations.
In the meeting they were informed of the challenges people with disabilities
have to face. Furthermore, he said that there were more than 60 million people
with disabilities in the EU, and he emphasised the need for special support to
be able to gain access to the labour market.
7. Social protection Policies
7 1 Actions
a) Conferences held on the 4th and 5th June 2007
b) 2nd Consultation of the EC on Social Services in Europe
a) Conferences of 4th and 5th June 2007:
The main objective of the conference held on 4th June was to present the
conclusions of a study on the general situation of social services in Europe,
contracted by the European Commission. The EDF was not present on this
occasion.
Some of the most relevant conclusions of this study are as follows:
There is not much experience and jurisprudence regarding the application of EU legislation to social services.
The representative of the European Centre on social welfare policies and
research said that the main goal of those services is to promote equal
opportunities and integration by improving the working capacities of people
with disabilities in Europe.
They currently represent a sixth of Europe’s population.
He made it clear that the programmes have to go towards an autonomy, a (re)integration
into the labour market, and a transition from protected employment to normal
employment.
The need of establishing a coherence between social services and health
services of general interest was also shown, since the latter advances quicker
than the former and this might give raise to important imbalances.
The conference from 5th June dealt with social services and health services of
general interest. The differences at a national and a geographical level,
regarding social services of general interest were shown.
b) 2nd Consultation of the EC on Social Services in Europe:
It has to be noted that ONCE was the only organisation representing the
disability sector during the consultation.
The European Commission published a synthesis of all the replies which
contributed to the consultation. They can be summarised and grouped as
follows:
Description and definition: Most of the participants said that a definition
of social services of general interest at a European level was not suitable.
Absence of profit-making: For many participants this is not a typical
characteristic of social services, whereas others opt to broaden the concept
to also cover organisations, mutualities and other entities of public or
quasi-public status.
Relation with the Services Directive: The exclusion of social services from
the Services Directive as such does not give more judicial security, for the
social services of economic interest of general interest are still subject to
the principles of the Treaties.
Actions at a European level: There is no consensus on the need of
establishing actions at a European level. Those in favour of common positions
prefer to do it using non-binding instruments, always respecting the freedom
of the EU member states to organise their services on their territory.
8. Calls for Funding
8. 1 Actions
a) The PROGRESS Programme
b) Call of the Directorate-General for Employment of the EC
c) Proposals of the Framework Programme on Competitiveness and Innovation
d) 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development
e) E-Participation
f) E-content plus
a) The PROGRESS Programme:
1. Call for the creation of a European network of experts in socioeconomy
regarding non-discrimination and diversity.
The closing date for participation was the 1st June 2007.
2. Call to conduct a study aiming at understanding the role that a positive
decision-making process might play in the fighting against and prevention of
discrimination.
The closing date for this call was 8th August 2007.
3. Call to conduct a study on the social impact and the impact on employment
of certain political strategies of the EU. Its aim was to inform and apply the
best standard methods available to evaluate the social impacts of certain case
studies, and impacts on the workplace.
The closing date was the 10th August 2007.
b) Call of the Directorate-General for Employment of the EC:
This call was about establishing agreements for active European networks for a
period of three years in the following areas: Fighting social exclusion,
discrimination, promoting gender equality, the integration of people with
disabilities, and gypsies.
The closing date was 30th July 2007.
c) Proposals of the Framework Programme on Competitiveness and Innovation:
In a series of various seminars organised by the Commission, the aim was to
try to disseminate information on this proposal, bankable projects etc.
The closing date for the presentation of the proposals is 23rd October 2007.
d) 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development:
The main theme of this programme will be information technology.
The funding will cover accessible and inclusive technology.
The closing date is 9th October 2007.
e) E-Participation:
This competition is aimed at the use of information technology to improve the
legislation and decision-making processes, in order to promote the public
participation in the afore mentioned processes at all decision levels. There
is no mention of the accessibility of information technology for people with
disabilities in the tender offer.
The closing date is 13th September 2007.
f) E-content plus
This competition is to fund indirect actions within the E-Content Plus
Programme, aiming at making digital content more accessible, user-friendly and
fruitful. The closing date is 4th October 2007.
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