Content
1. Postal Services
2. Non-Discrimination
3. Accessibility
4. Information Society
5. Internal Market
6. Employment and Social Affairs
7. Social Protection Policy
8. Calls for European Funding
9. The Lisbon Treaty
Back to Contents
1. Postal Services
1.1 Actions
Adoption of the Political Agreement on the Revision of the Directive on Postal Services.The political agreement on the revision of the Directive on Postal Services was adopted in October.
The original text of the directive was retained, outlining that the member states may maintain or introduce the provision of free postal services for blind and partially sighted people.
The agreement states that some postal services free of charge for blind and visually impaired people could be included in the definition of the Universal Service Obligations.
The Parliamentary Committee of Transport and Tourism discussed the revision of this directive in the EP on second reading.
The debate focused on the concession of authorisations to provide a Universal service, and providing services to people with disabilities was not specifically mentioned.
On the 18th December, the Committee adopted the Revision Proposal of the Directive on the market for Postal Services without amendments.
2. Non-Discrimination
2. 1 Actions
a) Meeting within the Freedom Drive initiative
The MEP Jean Lambert (Member of the Disability intergroup, the Parliamentary
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Green Party UK), met with a
group of disabled people from the United Kingdom in the European Parliament
in Strasbourg, in order to support measures aiming to increase their
independence and social inclusion.
This meeting was part of the Freedom Drive Initiative, organised by the
European network on Independent living (ENIL). This network tries to give
disabled people the opportunity to get to know their MEPs, as well as
representatives from other European institutions.
b) New Anti-Discrimination glossary
The European Commission launched a new Online glossary as part of the
“Stop-Discrimination” guide, which offers a list of the most important terms
used in the field of equality and the fight against discrimination.
c) Declaration of the European Parliament
The Plenary of the European Parliament approved a declaration in which the
European Commission and the 27 member states were requested to recognise
Dyslexia, Dysphasia, Dyspraxia or attention disorders, affecting more than
10% of minors in the EU, as disabilities.
The European Parliament condemned “the discrimination and social exclusion
children with those dysfunctions are suffering” and requested that "An
European multidisciplinary Network for learning disorders" to study and
collect information on those disorders be put in place.
The Parliament requested the European Commission and the Council to
establish “a Charter of children with dysfunctions" and reminded them that
"Disabilities caused by dysfunctions still are not identified as such in
many member states".
The MEPs claimed of the other EU institutions to promote "better measures of
an early detection, a systematic diagnosis and treatment of such
dysfunctions, as well as more efficient pedagogical structures in mainstream
and specialised institutions, and adapted structures of professional
insertion".
d) Closing Conference of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All.
During the closing conference of 2007, designated as the Year of Equal
Opportunities for All, the president of the European Commission José Manuel
Barroso, and the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal
Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, were present.
The Commission stated that the year 2007 saw more than 1000 activities,
organised at national, regional and local level, and that member states had,
for the first time, developed national strategies covering the six main
reasons of discrimination, set forth in Article 13 of the Treaty of Rome:
sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, age and disability.
e) Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
On 29th November, the plenary of the Parliament adopted the Report by MEP Jo
Leinen (Social Democrats, Germany) on the proclamation of the European
Charter of Fundamental Rights, in which a mandate is conceded to the
President of the European Parliament to formally proclaim the Charter,
together with the rest of the Leaders of the European institutions (The
president of the Commission and the Council). The ceremony was held in
Strasbourg on the 12th December, on the eve of the signing of the European
Reform Treaty in Lisbon.
f) European Day of people with Disabilities
As every year, the European Commission organised a conference to celebrate
the European Day of People with Disabilities. The Commissioner for
Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Vladimir Špidla, the EDF,
as well as other guests took part in this Conference.
The event focused on the presentation of the communication of the European
Commission on new priorities for 2008 and 2009, within the European Action
Plan regarding the situation of people with disabilities in the EU.
It also focused on the recent communication on the Single Market for the
21st century.
The EDF was not particularly pleased, for it thinks that the European
legislation has not been able to achieve that people with disabilities
benefit from the advantages offered through the Internal Market.
g) Report on Multiple Discrimination
The European Commission published a report entitled “Fighting Against
Multi-Discrimination – Practical Cases, Policies and Legislation” including
a definition of multi-discrimination, its effects and legal treatment. It is
a result of a study conducted for the European Commission by the Danish
Institute of Human Rights. The study was based on surveys and round tables
in which 10 member states of the EU took part since November of 2006
(Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Rumania, Sweden, The
Netherlands and the United Kingdom).
You can access the report through the following link:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/pubst/stud/multdis_en.pdf
h) Other
1. During the meeting of the Council on Employment and Social Affairs, a
resolution comprising 24 points was adopted as a follow-up to the Year of
Equal Opportunities 2007.
2. The European Commission announced the winner of the 'For Diversity.
Against Discrimination' EU press award of 2007. It has been awarded to
Portuguese Journalist Maria do Ceu Neves, who contributed the most to
diversity and the fight against discrimination, by writing about the
discrimination faced by migrant workers in the Netherlands.
3. Accessibility
3. 1 Actions
a) User Meeting with EICTA on Digital TV
A meeting on digital TV was held in November with EICTA, focusing on a point
by point revision of the document outlining the specifications and technical
requirements for digital TV set in the field of E-Inclusion, and in the
proposal for a “memorandum of understanding”.
The rest of the meeting focused on defining the way in which a contribution
to the ministerial meeting at the beginning of December in Lisbon could be
made.
During the afore mentioned meeting in Lisbon, Rodolfo Catani as a
representative of the EDF, met with EICTA and the European Commission to
gain a strong, immediate and future commitment, in order to achieve that
converting the Text of menu items to speech can become a reality.
As a consequence of this meeting, EICTA included concrete timelines in its
memorandum of understanding of January 2008, to develop accessibility of
digital TV.
4. Information Society
a) Programme to Promote Digital Skills
The European Commission proposed a long-term programme and a series of
action lines to promote digital skills, as a result of a prior consultation
with a wide variety of experts and stakeholders.
Although most of the actions in this field lie with the member states, the
European Commission encourages them to develop awareness-making initiatives
for citizens to understand what kind of opportunities the digital world has
to offer, the creation of actions and tools of support, stimulating
employment and social inclusion, as well as a wider and more efficient use
of e-learning.
b) European Institute of Technology
The European Parliament adopted the report on the creation of the European
Institute of Technology by Reino Paassilinna (ESP Finland). The only group
which rejected the report was the group of the Green Party, protesting that
the EIT was badly designed and did not have enough funding.
The MEPs proposed that the EIT from now on be called ‘European Institute of
Innovation and Technology’, and that a pilot phase of two years must be
implemented.
c) Workshop on the Right to Access the Digital Environment
A workshop on “the right to access the digital environment” was celebrated,
organised by the ALDE Group.
The Commissioner for Consumer Protection Meglena Kuneva took part in this
activity.
The debate focused on the protection of consumer rights, and on designing a
guide on the rights in the digital environment, as well as the fight against
fraud. Accessibility of people with disabilities was not specifically
mentioned.
d) Directive on Audiovisual Media Services
The Council adopted the common position of the Revision Proposal of the
Directive Television without Borders, also known as the Directive on
Audiovisual Media Services in October.
The Council confirmed the position adopted in the political agreement
regarding the provision of accessibility for people with disabilities. An
obligation for the member states to promote that service providers ensure
their services become gradually accessible to people with a hearing and / or
vision impairment, must be included.
The plenary of the European Parliament adopted the Council’s common position
on the revision of the Directive on Audiovisual Media Services without
amendments on 29th November. It is expected to come into force in January
2008. From then on, the member states will have two years to transpose the
Directive into their respective legislation.
e) Digital Libraries
The plenary of the European Parliament adopted the report entitled “i2010:
Digital Libraries” which proposes the development of a European digital
library in different stages, focusing on copyright free material – books and
audiovisual works.
The initiative to create a European Library comes from six member states,
and Spain is one of them. The report mentions the information technology as
being useful for people with disabilities, for it allows adapting contents
to their needs.
The European Commission announced that the prototype for a European Library
would be launched in November 2008, and would give access to more than 2
million digital books, photos, maps etc.
It is expected that in 2010 the library will comprise over 6 million
available items.
f) E-Inclusion Initiative
.gif){kind=small}
The European Commission adopted a communication on the E-Inclusion
initiative on 8th November, within the framework of the wider initiative
i2010.
The communication has the following aims:
Some of the measures proposed by the Commission are the following:
1. Launching a communication campaign on E-Inclusion called “E-Inclusion, be
part of it!”, which is to be completed with the celebration of a high level
ministerial conference to draw a balance of the progress made, and set out
the basis and future priorities.
2. Working towards the adoption of a focus on horizontal rules on
e-accessibility. With this objective in mind, a public consultation and an
impact evaluation will be celebrated in the first half of 2008, giving the
necessary information to present a legislation proposal on E-Accessibility
in the second half of 2008.
3. Urging the industry to commit itself to put in place solutions regarding
privacy between 2008 and 2010, allowing access to digital television and
electronic communications to people with disabilities.
4. Urging member states to better control the commitment to the Rule on
accessing electronic contents.
On the 2nd and 3rd of December a ministerial conference and an exhibition on
the On the 2nd and 3rd of December a ministerial conference and an exhibition
on the E-Inclusion Initiative was celebrated in Lisbon. It was organised by
the European Commission, and inaugurated by Viviane Reding, Commissioner for
Information Society and Audiovisual Media.
g) Electronic Communications
On the 13th November the European Commission adopted the electronic
communications package, comprising various proposals to reform the existing
legislation in this field, and which will have an impact on topics such as
the regulation of contents in digital format.
The Commission seeks to strengthen consumer rights, competitiveness and
competition among telecommunication operators, as well as to promote
investments in new infrastructures in this sector.
The package includes a proposal for a framework directive on
telecommunication services and a proposal on a directive for user rights.
The proposals included in the package have to be adopted by the European
Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
The commission also proposes the creation of a high authority of the
telecommunication market, as an independent entity to help the Commission
and the national authorities regulate this field.
5. Internal Market
a) Resolution of the European Parliament on reviewing the Single Market
The resolution of the European Parliament of 4th September on reviewing the
Single Market underlines the importance of ensuring that all citizens
benefit from the Single Market. It reminds us that some vulnerable groups do
not have full access to it, and that the declaration appended to the final
act of the Treaty of Amsterdam establishes that the EU institutions take the
needs of people with disabilities into account when working out measures.
In accordance with the protocol on services of general interest, which will
be included as an annex to the future reform treaty, the Parliament urges
the Commission to take initiatives towards overcoming legal uncertainties
regarding those services.
6. Employment and Social Issues
a) Conference on the 10th Anniversary of the European Employment
Strategy
The Portuguese presidency celebrated a conference in Lisbon, commemorating
the 10th anniversary of the European Employment Strategy.
In this conference, the topic of flexisecurity and enhancement of more
inclusive labour markets was discussed. Prospects and priorities of the
employment in Europe were analysed.
b) Celebration of a Three-Party Social Summit
A three-party social summit was celebrated in Lisbon, in which the European
leaders, The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, the
Portuguese Prime Minister, the current President of the Council José
Sócrates, and the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal
Opportunities Vladimir Spidla, together with social partners, discussed how
the Reform Treaty and the Lisbon Strategy can enhance EU’s labour markets.
A joint analysis of the main challenges the European labour markets have to
face was presented for the first time, with special focus on how to make
progress regarding flexisecurity.
c) Conclusions to Promote Active Inclusion
During the meeting of the Council on Employment and Social Affairs, the
conclusions to promote the active inclusion of people who are furthest from
the labour market were adopted.
The ministers of the 27 member states decided on the annual celebration of a
round table on poverty and social exclusion, the first of which will take
place in October 2008 under the French presidency of the EU.
d) Conclusions on the Lisbon Strategy
The Council adopted the conclusions on the European Employment Strategy, in
the context of the new cycle of the Lisbon Strategy. A reference was made to
people with disabilities regarding the implementation of national reform
plans, wherever those yielded positive results when applied to measures
proposed in the Lisbon Strategy. However, there were differences between the
various fields and member states. It also has to be noted that there still
are groups such as people with disabilities who stay behind the others.
f) Public consultation on the Social Agenda
The DG Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission launched a
public consultation in order for interested parties to share ideas, opinions
and comments on the new social agenda, which will be published in 2008.
7. Social protection Policies
7 1 Actions
a) First Forum on Social Services of General Interest
The first forum on social services of general interest (SSGI) was celebrated
in September, organised by the Portuguese EU presidency. Its objective was
to enter into deeper debates regarding the current situation of those
services in Europe and to outline the need for a specific legal framework.
The following topics were tackled during the conference: current legal
situation and prospects of social services; local and regional dimensions;
the role of the users, providers and public services when it comes to
defining, evaluating and improving the quality of SSGI; the quality of
employment and professional training.
It is important to emphasise that the justification for a clear legal
framework is based on the need to ensure the respect of the rights of those
benefiting from the SSGI.
Service providers were requested to promptly identify existing current
problems. It is also worth mentioning that at the level of the EU’s Council
of Ministers, there is an increasing awareness and political will to
regulate the SSGI.
b) Package of Modernisation Measures of the Internal Market
The European Commission presented a package of initiatives aimed at the
modernisation of the internal market and bringing major benefits to European
citizens. Among others, it includes a communication for the review of the
internal market, a joint communication on Services of General Interest, and
Social Services of General Interest, emphasising the role of the protocol to
the European Reform Treaty, and a study of the Bureau of European Policy
Advisers, on future social developments.
The package is in accordance with the communication on the social reality
stocktaking presented by the European Commission in February 2007, which
will support the open consultation. The deadline for this consultation has
been extended to 15th February 2008.
The package provoked many different reactions among the social partners and
other stakeholders. The group of the European Socialists and the European
Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) preferred the adoption of a horizontal
framework directive.
8. Calls for European Funding
8. 1 Actions
A) Study on the Accessibility of Information Technology Products for
People with Disabilities and the Elderly
The Directorate General of the Information Society of the European
Commission published a call for funding of a study on the accessibility of
information technology products for people with disabilities and the
elderly. The closing date to participate was 1st October 2007.
Back to Contents
9. The Lisbon Treaty
9. 1 Actions
Signing of the Treaty of Lisbon
The European reform treaty was signed on 13th December 2007 in Lisbon. The
Treaty of the EU is modified, and from now on it states that the European
Union recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the European
Charter of Fundamental Rights from 7th December 2000, which possesses the
same legal value as the Treaties.
The special legal regime agreed with the United Kingdom and Poland allowed
to retain the legally binding nature for the rest of the 25 member states,
once it is ratified and comes into force. This is expected to happen in
2009.
Back to Contents