The objectives of the new Disability Strategy in the European Union have been presented

In the workshop of the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities: "The new Strategy for Disability", the President of the ECHR, Ioannis Vardakastanis, in his capacity as President of the European Disability Forum, took part in a teleconference on 28 October. The workshop was also attended by Commission President Do delors MONTSERRAT, Commissioner for Equality Helena DALLI, Professors Lisa WADDINGTON and Andrea BRODERICK, European Ombudsman Emily O'REILLY, Dr Rolf SCHMACHTENBERG from the German Presidency and I. Dimitrakopoulos from the Fundamental Rights Agency.

In his speech, Mr Vardakastanis pointed out that at a time when inequality is increasing in Europe, and the pandemic has reinforced existing discrimination, the new Strategy must have a clear budget that supports its implementation. The Multiannual Framework (MFF) should include the prospects of people with disabilities throughout the financial framework and in particular in various instruments of funding and guarantee from the EU budget: "EU taxpayers' money must not be more discriminatory!"