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Updates for EU Disability Rights Strategy

EU Disability Rights Strategy will get an update for its second half. What to expect?

The European Commission confirms there will be new actions for the European Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030.

In its 2026 workplan, the European Commission says:

  • The new Gender equality strategy and updated strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities will reinforce equality, inclusion and participation in all areas of society.

The plan lists this action for secong quarter of 2026:

  • Enhancing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities up to 2030.

Also in the Commmission’s workplan:

  • Quality Jobs Act, new law, fourth quarter 2026.
  • Anti-poverty strategy, second quarter 2026.
  • Strengthening of the Child Guarantee, second quarter 2026.
  • Gender equality strategy, third quarter 2026.
  • Anti-discrimination directive proposal. Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

EU Disability Rights Strategy

The strategy is for the years 2021-2030.

The objective of the Strategy is to ensur that all persons with disabilities in Europe:

  • enjoy their human rights
  • have equal opportunities, equal access to participate in society and economy
  • are able to decide where, how and with whom they live
  • move freely in the EU regardless of their support needs
  • no longer experience discrimination
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What is expected from the updates next year

Inclusion Europe expects deinstitutionalisation to be a strong priority.

Commissioner Lahbib said during this debate in the European Parliament.

  • “We are now reflecting on the flagship actions to take forward in the second phase of the strategy for persons with disabilities. Promoting independent living remains a top priority for me personally and for the Commission as a whole,” said Commissioner Lahbib.

Inclusion Europe asks that the updated Disability Rights Strategy:

  • Supports EU member states in the transition to supported decision-making, for example, by funding training for public officials, families, support service, banks, notaries on how to support the right to decide.
  • Promotes “the action of deinstitutionalisation” – connecting those who implement deinstitutionalisation across different countries to help learn from their experiences, improve the practice, and make their know-how available to more countries and DI practitioners.
  • Makes sure EU funding is used to build housing for people with intellectual disabilities with support to live independently in the community, complementing deinstitutionalisation strategies.
  • Makes sure EU funding is used to support inclusive education in member states, for example pupils’ journey to inclusive education, training of teachers in mainstream schools, or adaptations of schools and learning programmes.
  • Employment of people with intellectual disabilities in EU institutions to benefit from their expertise on policies and other matters such as accessibility. For this, the EU bodies and agencies should make their workplace inclusive.
  • Specific actions backed with funding for freedom of choice about reproductive health addressing all the following causes: violence against women in institutions; deprivation of legal capacity and lack of supported decision-making; lack of good support for victims of forced sterilisation; lack of education, accessible information and training on reproductive rights, especially for women with intellectual disabilities, their families and support services.
  • Support creation of tools for participation of self-advocates in the civil dialogue across the EU. These tools can be guidelines on accessible and inclusive civil dialogue.

Read in full: Inclusion Europe asks for the next phase of Disability Rights Strategy (PDF)

The European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs approved a report on the new strategy this week.

  • The report pays particular attention to the situation of women and girls with disabilities.
  • It calls for better accessibility in sports, transport, products and digital technologies.
  • The need to strengthen existing platforms and legislation, such as AccessibleEU, the European Accessibility Act and the Web Accessibility Directive.

The European Disability Forum said:

  • We welcome this announcement, which reflects our long-standing demands and provides a clear timeline for action.
  • The new initiatives must be coupled with a strong EU Budget that properly funds disability rights.