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We are preparing our response to the European Commission’s call for evidence on phase II of the EU Disability Rights Strategy 2021-30. A link to our response will be available in the newsletter of February.
We attended an EASPD-led coordination meeting on the next steps for the ‘EUFundsForSocial’ coalition on the Multiannual Financial Framework (the next long-term EU budget) building on a new joint statement.
Employment
We sent our background note for the European Semester on the compatibility of disability benefits with employment to the relevant units of DG EMPL and DG JUST at the Commission. EMPL said they will share it with their country desks. We also sent the note to our colleagues at the European Disability Forum (EDF) to seek their advice and support in lobbying the European Semester. We asked the European Centre for Expertise to address the issue in the Civil Society Seminar on “Social and employment policies in the European Semester 2026” that they are organising in March on behalf of DG EMPL. The note is now uploaded to our website and external communication about it has started. We urged our Advocacy Committee—especially the most problematic EU countries evidenced in the note, including Bulgaria, Greece, Luxembourg, and Portugal—to stand ready to support our advocacy in 2026.
Inclusive design
We responded to the Commission’s call for expression of interest to participate in European Accessibility Act Article 28 Expert Group: Jakob Rosin was designated as EBU would-be representative in the group as Coordinator of the EBU Accessibility Working Group.
We delivered a response to the Commission’s call for evidence on review of Public Procurement Directive.
We were represented by Jakob Rosin, who led on our ‘Pay-Able’ recommendation, in a meeting (at their request) with UK Finance on accessible bank cards and payment terminals.
Mobility
We responded to a Commission (DG EMPL) call for evidence on the European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS), an initiative that has a strong potential link with our demand to lift the indirect barrier to the mobility of EU citizens with disabilities caused by difficulties and delays in getting one’s disability status recognised in the context of a move of residence to another Member State. This follows up on our advocacy about the European Disability Card.
Miscellaneous
We released a statement in reaction to outcome of the Commission’s evaluation of Marrakesh Treaty Directive, and sent it, for their information and possible reaction, to the relevant units at DG CNECT and DG JUST, with copy to EDF.
We provided comments to EDF on their response to the public consultation on the European Commission’s (ECHO) future Communication on a vision for the EU humanitarian aid.