Need to ensure that people with disabilities are better able to exercise their rights

3.2.2017

Question for written answer E-000817-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso (PPE) , Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (PPE)

Action to improve accessibility is vital in order to prevent and eliminate barriers to the use of products and services. Such action enables people with functional diversity to perceive, use and understand products and services on an equal footing with other people.

The European Accessibility Act aims to help Member States meet their obligations on accessibility deriving from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Ratification of the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an important step in ensuring that people with disabilities are better able to exercise their rights, in particular as regards the difficulties they encounter in accessing some transport services and built-up areas. Is the Commission planning to propose ratification of the protocol as part of its work on accessibility this year?

Can the Commission further say what progress is being made in the application of Community legislation designed to improve accessibility at local, regional and state level, bearing in mind how necessary this is in order to achieve a genuine barrier-free Europe?