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disability rights
Autism Europe and COFACE co-chair European expert group on deinstitutionalisation 

Autism Europe and COFACE co-chair European expert group on deinstitutionalisation 

Autism Europe, a network of organisations advancing the rights of autistic people and their families became co-chair of the European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based support (EEG), with COFACE Families Europe. They took over from the European Disability Forum. The EEG is a coalition advocating to replace institutionalisation with family- and community-based support. It represents children and their families, people with disabilities and their families, homeless people, people experiencing mental health problems, service providers, public authorities, UN organisations.

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Rallying for dignity: Unapei launches national petition for improved healthcare in France

Rallying for dignity: Unapei launches national petition for improved healthcare in France

For months, COFACE Disability Platform, Unapei, and other solidarity and healthcare associations have voiced concerns about the conditions of non-profit establishments and services implementing French local government policies. Alongside Uniopss (National Interfederal Union of Non-Profit Health and Social Organizations), Unapei is launching a petition, “For Dignified Support: Let’s Sound the Alarm Together.” It urges everyone to take action, including pushing for these topics to be discussed in the social life councils of establishments.

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Guidelines on European Accessibility Standards

Guidelines on European Accessibility Standards

The European Accessibility Resource Centre has recently published comprehensive guidelines outlining Accessibility Standards at the European level. 

This document provides information on why standards related to accessibility matter, no matter if you are a person with disabilities, an expert on accessibility, a legislator, a procurer, a manufacturer or a service provider.

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European Parliament’s position paves the way for ambitious European Disability Card 

European Parliament’s position paves the way for ambitious European Disability Card 

The European Parliament’s official position on the proposed Directive for a European Disability Card and a European Parking Card adopted by unanimity in a vote at the Employment and Social Affairs Committee is very appreciated. The position reflects the demands of persons with disabilities. It also means that negotiations between the EU institutions on the final text can now begin, the final phase of the EU decision-making procedure. 

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European report on targeted measures for persons with disabilities to cope with the cost-of-living crisis

European report on targeted measures for persons with disabilities to cope with the cost-of-living crisis

There are currently 100 million persons with disabilities in the European Union, representing 15% of the total population. Data shows that persons with disabilities more likely experience poverty or social exclusion than persons without disabilities (in 2021, 29.7% vs 18.8%). This study brings together available knowledge that recent crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing energy crisis due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, together with rising inflation affect persons with disabilities and their families disproportionately.

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APF France Handicap’s advocacy for the employment of people with disabilities in France

APF France Handicap’s advocacy for the employment of people with disabilities in France

At a time when unemployment among individuals with disabilities seems to be somewhat better acknowledged by French public authorities due to increased focus on employment access, neglecting to secure career paths amounts to merely shifting the problem. Faced with these observations, COFACE member, APF Handicap, provides a thorough analysis in a recently published research which highlights measures and solutions to prevent the risk of professional disintegration.

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Too old to care? Looking at disability and ageing from the perspective of family carers

Too old to care? Looking at disability and ageing from the perspective of family carers

Persons with disabilities have the right to live independently, included in the community and to family life. To mark the 2023 UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the COFACE Disability Platform places the spotlight on family carers. Their crucial role can significantly boost the fulfillment of the rights outlined in the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, provided they receive adequate support. A COFACE Disability “Thematic Note” was developed to contribute to policy discussions and help find constructive solutions.

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COFACE Families Europe ‘Easy-to-Read’ Resources

COFACE Families Europe ‘Easy-to-Read’ Resources

“Easy-to-read” is information that is written in a simple and clear way so that all people can understand it. In the ever-evolving landscape of information sharing, the matter of accessibility takes center stage at COFACE, particularly when it comes to our resources and the information we disseminate.

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Study session on Deinstitutionalisation practices

Study session on Deinstitutionalisation practices

This public study session organised by the European Expert Group on the transition from institutional to community-based care. It aims to bring together professionals, persons concerned by deinstitutionalisation, their families and representative organisations to discuss the shift toward meaningful inclusion in the community. 

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Will the European Child Guarantee positively impact the lives of  children with disabilities and their families?  

Will the European Child Guarantee positively impact the lives of  children with disabilities and their families?  

On the 14th of June 2021, EU Member States unanimously adopted the Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee. Two years after this historical adoption and the promise of all EU Member States to act to lift children and their families out of poverty, COFACE Families Europe has published an assessment of the National Action Plans implementing the Child Guarantee.

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Inclusive education for an Inclusive Europe – a critical perspective by Genitori Tosti 

Inclusive education for an Inclusive Europe – a critical perspective by Genitori Tosti 

Representatives of Genitori Tosti (member of COFACE Disability) attended a European expert meeting co-organised by AIAS and COFACE Disability to take stock of progress in inclusive education in Europe. The event took place at the end of March with 100+ participants in Monza (Italy) looking at the Italian system as a starting point for discussions with European peer countries and with EU policy-makers. 

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Social protection for people with disabilities in Europe: The European Social Policy Network analysis of policies in 35 countries

Social protection for people with disabilities in Europe: The European Social Policy Network analysis of policies in 35 countries

The European Social Policy Network (ESPN), which supports the European Commission in monitoring progress towards EU social protection, prepared a Synthesis Report collecting the findings from 35 national reports. The Synthesis Report describes and analyses the conditions under which persons with disabilities aged 18 years and above have effective access to social protection.

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COFACE Disability Platform puts the spotlight on Children with Disabilities: Breaking policy silos to better support children with disabilities and their families

COFACE Disability Platform puts the spotlight on Children with Disabilities: Breaking policy silos to better support children with disabilities and their families

In the run-up to the 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the COFACE Disability Platform for the rights of persons with disabilities and their families is launching a policy brief looking at how children with disabilities are represented in recent EU Social Policy Frameworks. With this brief COFACE Disability wants to launch a reflection on the intersection between disability and age and how to integrate it into policies and programmes. For this EU Year of Youth COFACE Disability has focused this brief on Children with Disabilities and their families.

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Let the Whole World Hear: Providing effective emergency assistance to people with deafness is an urgent priority

Let the Whole World Hear: Providing effective emergency assistance to people with deafness is an urgent priority

The pandemic caused by Covid-19, the Filomena snowstorm, the eruption of La Palma volcano, forest fires, earthquakes and floods have highlighted the difficulties and risks faced by people with deafness in emergency situations where they have no access to warnings, information about what is happening, or the instructions given to the whole population for their safety and protection.

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Webinar: Inclusive labour markets: a support service for persons with disabilities to match their skills with employment opportunities

Webinar: Inclusive labour markets: a support service for persons with disabilities to match their skills with employment opportunities

Operação de Emprego para Pessoas com Deficiência (OED) works directly with persons with disabilities to provide meaningful opportunities for employment. It works with persons with disabilities to find employment that fits their skills and needs, whilst also providing follow-up support and training to ensure successful workplace integration. It also interacts directly with employers to ensure that workplaces and recruitment processes are accessible.

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