The EU Youth Strategy says it wants to Engage, Connect and Empower every young person. Inclusion Europe wants the Strategy to keep that promise for young people with intellectual disabilities and their young family members too.
We met with Commissioner Micallef in July to share our ideas to make it happen with the next EU Youth Strategy.
We also submitted our written contribution to the strategy (PDF).
Young people left behind
Work is hard to find for young people with intellectual disablities. Only about 1 in 10 of them have a job on the open labour market. In 22 EU countries, almost none do.
Many cannot live in the community. More than 1 million people with intellectual disabilities in the EU still live in institutions. Many were placed there as children.
Schools often keeps them apart. About 570,000 children with intellectual disabilities go to segregated special schools. They miss the friendships and skills that help build an ordinary adult life.
Siblings are forgotten. Brothers and sisters of people with disabilities are missing from most youth policies. Many become carers when their parents grow older. Many worry about the future.
What Inclusion Europe asks for
Engage — let young people take part. Name young people with intellectual disabilities in the new Strategy. Let young self-advocates take part in decisions again and again, not just once.
Recognise siblings as a priority too, with their own EU Youth Dialogue. Share information in easy-to-read and plain language, so more young people can understand it.
Connect — bring people together. Help young people connect with their communities, employers, schools and decision-makers. Make travel and exchange programmes like Erasmus+ work for young people with intellectual disabilities, with accessible information and support for their needs.
Empower — rights, choice and jobs. Help EU countries support young people with intellectual disabilities to find and keep a job on the open labour market. Support the move from segregated schools, jobs and homes to inclusive ones in the community.