The European Disability Forum (EDF) has published the fourth edition of its Human Rights Report, which examines poverty and social exclusion of persons with disabilities in the European Union. The report found that 28.7% of persons with disabilities living in the EU are at risk of poverty, as well as noting that this number is likely to grow in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, they note that the situation has worsened since 2010 in 11 EU countries: Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.
The report makers a number of recommendations for both EU and national decision-makers, including:
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Fully implementing the EU Pillar of Social Rights by establishing an action plan that includes proposals for the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
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Developing a follow-up of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, for the coming decade, including measures to address poverty and social exclusion of persons with disabilities and their families.
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Favouring the use of disability assessment methods that follow a rights-compliant and holistic approach, as well as using a combination of impairment and functional considerations.
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Investing in the accessibility of all support structures and services provided to the general public to enable persons with disabilities to make use of them.
You can read the full report here: https://mcusercontent.com/865a5bbea1086c57a41cc876d/files/ad60807b-a923-4a7e-ac84-559c4a5212a8/EDF_HR_Report_final_tagged_interactive_v2_accessible.pdf
