WHO is dismantling the QualityRights Initiative, a global driver of the CRPD in #mentalhealth, rolling back progress on autonomy, inclusion, and ending coercion
We call on @who.int to restore it, keep expertise and engage civil society
#HumanRights are not optional
www.edf-feph.org/denouncing-t...
Conceptual image with AI text in the middle
Our Disability Voice is out!
This month: AI and its impact on persons with disabilities.
➡️ Updated guide on disability inclusion under the AI Act
➡️ Infographics on AI’s impact
➡️ Our call to defend transparency safeguards
📖 Read it! mailchi.mp/edf-feph/dvj...
As 24 February comes around again, the European disability movement stands firmly with Ukraine.
Despite ongoing attacks, disability rights activists continue to defend rights and support their communities. We stand with them.
We do not forget you. Slava Ukraini.🇺🇦
New blog ✍️ by @myedf.bsky.social
We are in the middle of both a housing and an energy crisis. For many, this is already overwhelming. For persons with disabilities, it can be life-threatening. Read the full blog👇
buildbetterlives.eu/2026/02/12/w...
#BuildBetterLives
Love is in the Air!
And we hope that the EU loves disability rights.
This year we would love to see:
- New actions for #DisabilityRights
- A #EUBudget that loves disability rights
- Laws that love travellers with disabilities
- An affordable housing plan that loves accessibility
#SaintValentine
from left to right: MEP Ciarán Mullooly MEP Pál Szekeres Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum Commissioner Hadja Lahbib MEP Alex Saliba MEP Brando Benifei
Disability Intergroup asks to Commissioner @hadjalahbib.bsky.social for a strong #EUDisabilityRights Strategy:
- Support independent living, employment and personal assistance
- Stop allowing the use of EU funds for institutionalisation
- Accessible housing
More: www.edf-feph.org/eu-disabilit...
Coercion has no place in #MentalHealth!
Europe needs to focus on a "human rights" approach.
Today, 11 MEPs and 9 disability organisations are calling on the Council of Europe to drop its harmful additional protocol that solidifies coercion and forced placement:
www.edf-feph.org/disability-o...
Persons with disabilities across the EU face disproportionate hate speech, harassment and violence, online and offline, yet remain inadequately protected.
Our updated position paper highlights remaining gaps and key recommendations to strengthen protection.
The cover of the Strategy document with a collage of diverse persons with disabilities
- European Agency for Accessibility.
- Disability Employment Guarantee.
- Measures to support independent living.
- Law on affordability of assistive technology.
four of our many proposals for the next Phase of the #EUDisabilityRights Strategy
Explore them all: www.edf-feph.org/updated-eu-d...
A black and white photo ofa person using two hands to shield themsevles
We call on the @ec.europa.eu to ensure that the new EU-Anti Trafficking Strategy includes disability rights!
Persons with disabilities:
- are more often targeted.
- receive less support.
- Women and girls with disabilities are particularly at risk.
www.edf-feph.org/not-invisibl...
Good news!
The Parliamentary Assembly of the @coe.int issued a negative opinion on the draft additional protocol of the Oviedo Convention.
We have been fighting this protocol for years. It would cement the use of involuntary treatment and placement in psychiatry.
A sign with EDF logo and Great European landmarks. Below a photo and text of: the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and the cover of the disability rights strategy and the ";next phase of the European Disability Rights Strategy?"
Is the European #DisabilityRights Strategy the next great European landmark?
Only if you share your views with the @ec.europa.eu public consultation - open until 6 February.
Read our guide: www.edf-feph.org/share-your-t...
Members of the Disability Intergroup and the European Disability Forum (foreground) meeting with Commissioner Hadja Lahbib (background).
Today, the #EPDisability Intergroup met with Commissioner for Equality Preparedness and Crisis Management @hadjalahbib.bsky.social to discuss:
- the second phase of the EU Disability Rights Strategy
- the next EU budget
Promotional banner with a laptop showing in the screen the newsletter
Our first #DisabilityVoice of 2026 is out!
We reflect on what we’ve achieved together and we highlight the collective work that has strengthened and advanced our rights
It also includes analysis on:
➡️ Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency priorities
➡️ The new EU Consumer Agenda
mailchi.mp/edf-feph/dvj...
Lawmakers are discussing how protected travellers will be when flying in the EU.
The good: for now, they propose improvements on disability-specific rights.
The bad: these gains may be offset by weaker rules for travellers in general.
Will we see progress?
www.edf-feph.org/air-passenge...
Germany Stands Firm: Continued Support for Disability-Inclusive Aid in Ukraine
We welcome the extension of f the initiative 'Empower Ukraine', which provides assistance to 'hard to reach' people- including those with disabilities or living in remote areas.
More: www.edf-feph.org/germany-stan...
A hands holding a sign with a heart coloured in blue and yellow as the Ukrainian flag.
Disability in Ukraine has grown due to injuries, violence, and trauma. Many face extreme risks from inaccessible evacuations to disrupted essential services.
Read EUobserver on how they are coping as refugees and why inclusive humanitarian aid is urgent euobserver.com/news/ar56b7c...
Close up of European Parliament's Disability Rights Week 2025 roll up. In the blurry background, 6 speakers of the Transport Committee event mobility for persons with disabilities.
From the European Parliament's Disability Rights Week to #EDPD2025, December is a highlight for #DisabilityRights in the EU.
Read our summary of the #EPDisability Rights Week: www.edf-feph.org/european-par...
And about the recent work of Disability Intergroup: mailchi.mp/edf-feph.org...
The main square of Zaragoza with the 1st prize
The main square of Valencia with mention "2nd prize"
The main square of Rennes with mention 3rd Prize
And the winners of the #AccessCity Awards are...
🥇Zaragoza 🇪🇸
🥈 Valencia 🇪🇸
🥉Rennes 🇫🇷
Congratulations to all the winners!
The garden and famous castle of Salzsburg and next to words 'special Mention to accessibility in housing '
And the Special Mention to accessibility in housing goes to...
Salzburg
The main square of Valencia showing a nice fountain and the saying special mention for accessibility preparedness
And the Special Mention to accessibility in emergency preparedness goes to ...
Valencia
The main square of Piacenza with a big church, with the text 'Special Mention for Information and Communications Technology'
And the Special Mention for Information and Communications Technology goes to...
Piacenza
The Access City prizes in a table
Tune in now for the #AccessCity Awards announcement: t.co/9lwO2987bK
#EDPD2025 #EUDisabilityRights
Ioannis Vardakastanis speaks
Our President @IVardakastanis reminds participant
"Europe no longer has the luxury of reflection without action. Not when 100 million persons with disabilities still face systemic exclusion"
"Commitments must be at the hear of governments' priorities and budget"
#EDPD2025
Cypriot representative
The EU Presidencies of #Denmark and #Cyprus open the session:
- Denmark focus on the need to ensure independent living in the community
- Cyprus commits to continue working on a strong #DisabilityRights agency with focus on supported decision-making and support services.
Commissioner Lahbib speaking
Commissioner @hadjalahbib opens the Conference calling on everyone to participate in the public consultation for the #DisabilityRights Strategy.
"During my mandate, accessibility, independent living and employment will continue to be top priorities"
Poster for the European Day of Persons with Disabilities, 4-5 December 2025.
The #EDPD2025 is starting.
Join us for:
- #DisabilityRights Strategy
- Inclusive #EUBudget
Tomorrow:
- #AccessCity Awards
- Preparedness
Follow online: webcast.ec.europa.eu/the-european...
A post with the following text: "On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities we call on European Union Institutions to: - Strengthen funding for European and national organisations of persons with disabilities in the next MFF. - Reverse restrictions and ensure funding for civil society, including advocacy that protects citizens’ rights. - Boost civil society support: recommit to the ECBA Directive, monitor civic space, and protect Human Rights Defenders.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilites #IDPD, we denounce ongoing attacks on funding for civil society.
Adequate funding is key to this defending our rights.
We call on the EU and its countries to reverse this trend.
Read: www.edf-feph.org/internationa...
A banner for Accesisble Europe Region conference, with the information of Ioannis Vardakastins, President of European Disability Forum and the Green national disability confederation. Next yo it, a stilised version of a person in a square and a circle over a picture of a big square with old building
Today, our President, Ioannis Vardakastanis and Deputy Director, Alejandro Moledo, intervene at the #AccessibleEurope event:
- More investment by organisations
- A EU Regulatory agency on #accessibility
- Enforcement of the #AccessibilityAct
- More legislation to close gaps
Accessible Spaces for All Conference opening and keynote speakers: Alejandro Moledo (EDF) and Emiliano Deferrari (European Network Accessible Tourism) listening to Clara Kiess speaking (European Commission, Interreg Central Europe Programme Officer). Behind them, posters of the Accessible Spaces for All project on what they achieved).
Today we are at the Accessible Tourism for All conference in Brussels!
With #CESpaces4All project partners and contributions from the @ec.europa.eu, disability rights organisations, and tourism networks, we will explore:
- Good inclusive practices and tools
- Advocating for #AccessibleTourism
