Published 14/01/2026
Many countries are in the process of joining the European Union (EU).
This is an important moment to review the countries’ laws, policies and services.
The EU accession process looks at whether candidate countries respect human rights, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Read our briefing on EU accession here. (PDF)
People with intellectual disabilities and their families still face many barriers in EU candidate countries.
- Many people live in institutions or without enough support in the community.
- Many do not have access to education, work and healthcare.
- Some are not able to make their own decisions or take part in political life.
- People with intellectual disabilities are also often left out of discussions about reforms.
This briefing shows the situation of people with intellectual disabilities in Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It aims to support organisations, policymakers and decision-makers to use the EU accession process for full rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
People with intellectual disabilities and their families must not be forgotten during EU enlargement.
Read our briefing on EU accession here. (PDF)
What is the EU
Learn in this video:https://www.youtube.com/embed/x8cv9XgbBOA?si=md3H8xQig_UUUOzj
More reports:
20 years in the EU: What has changed for people with intellectual disabilities and their families in that time?
Ukraine: Report on the situation and impact of war on people with intellectual disabilities
Quick look: Deinstitutionalisation in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia
What is the UN CRPD?
Learn about the CRPD in this video:https://www.youtube.com/embed/sZCa2_sMKW4?si=_BORv8-bxCwwyT3Q