European Parliament’s first Disability Rights Week - from 27 Nov to 4 Dec 2023

06-12-2023 - 20:18
Illustration on a blue brackground about the Disability Rights week. The ilustration shows 5 persons. From left to right: a woman with a prothetic leg, a girl holding a ball, a man sitting in a wheel chair, a man holding a cane and wearing glasses, and an elderly woman holding a walker
Disability-rights-week_website.jpg © European Parliament 2023 - Author: Andrea Adriani

Around 1 in 4 Europeans has a self-declared disability, and with the EU population ageing, the percentage share and number of persons with disabilities are only likely to increase. In line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the European Parliament is working towards ensuring that all persons with disabilities can live an independent life and be fully integrated into society.

The European Parliament is committed to ensure that all persons with disabilities can live an independent life and be fully integrated into society. This includes, amongst other, access to quality social and employment services and jobs, adequate social protection, accessible and inclusive housing and participation in lifelong learning.

In order to analyse existing initiatives to protect and empower people with disabilities, and to reflect on challenges ahead and prepare for future activities, Parliament held its first Disability Rights Week, from 27 November to 4 December 2023.

Parliamentary committees have been invited to join this Disability Rights Week by organising hearings, Inter-Parliamentary Committee meetings, debates and other types of activities focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities. Many have joined this very first common event. More information is available on the dedicated web-page (link below).