On December 3rd 2001 the Ministers for Labour and Social Affairs of the European Union unanimously adopted the European Commission's proposal to declare 2003 "The European Year of the People with Disabilities". According to Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum (EDF, the European network of the NGO involved in the disability field and ad hoc National Councils) "The European Year will be a unique opportunity to promote the disability agenda within the European Union" against stereotypes and prejudice.

The budget of 12 million euro, provided for initiatives during the year, will fund events, meetings, sensitisation activities and research.

THE OBJECTIVES

There are six main objectives of The European Year of the People with Disabilities:

1. Sensitise the right of disabled people, to protect them against discrimination and to allow them to benefit from total and equal rights, as prescribed in the items of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;
2. Develop cooperation among all the parties interested: governments, the private sector, communities, social parties, volunteer groups, disabled people and their relatives;
3. Encourage reflection and discussion on the necessary measures to promote equal opportunities for disabled people in Europe;
4. Promote the exchange of experiences, good practices and effective strategies put into effect locally, nationally and European wide;
5. Improve communication concerning disability;
6. Take particular care to sensitise people to the rights of disabled children and young adults, allowing them equal treatment in education.

THE ACTIONS

LINKS

The European Year of People with Disabilities official site
http://www.eypd2003.org/eypd/index.jsp

European Disability Forum
http://www.edf-feph.org/

European policies concerning disability issues
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/disability/index_en.html

European Day of Disabled People
http://www.eddp.org/eddp/index_2.html

Equal program
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/equal/index_en.html

Esf - European social fund
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/esf2000/index-en.htm

Madrid Declaration
http://www.madriddeclaration.org/

Ministry of Welfare
http://www.welfare.gov.it/default.htm