As part of the European Union's public consultation on the European Disability Card, everyone is welcome and encouraged to submit their views via a questionnaire, a link to which is provided below, on the challenges faced by people with disabilities when travelling and exercising their right to free movement, as well as on the whole European Disability Card initiative.
There are around 90 million people with disabilities living in the European Union. These people still face barriers that may prevent or discourage their free movement in order to access certain services, in particular because there is no mutual recognition of disability status between Member States. This lack of mutual recognition of disability status may create barriers to accessing certain services during short-term cross-border travel, including for tourism purposes. For example, they may not have reduced prices or free access provided by certain service providers in another Member State of the European Union in the same way as people with recognised disabilities from that Member State.
To address these issues, the Commission is considering an initiative to facilitate mutual recognition of disability status across Member States: the European Disability Card. This card aims to ensure the free movement and equal exercise of the rights of people with disabilities in the European Union. Holders of the European Disability Card will enjoy the same conditions of access to relevant services in all Member States, regardless of where their disability status was granted.
All responses from citizens, organisations, public authorities, businesses, academics and other stakeholders are welcome. Please note that you do not need to have prior knowledge of European disability policies or the European disability card to participate in this public consultation.
The summary questionnaire is available at the following link: https:/ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13517-European-Disability-Card/public-consultation_el
The closing date is 5 May 2023.
(MXX/EXP)
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