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On Thursday February 8, the EU rubber-stamped its new European Disability Card, which seeks to bolster the rights of individuals with disabilities while travelling within the European Union. This initiative aims to ensure they are given priority treatment in necessary areas, such as on public transport or when attending entertainment venues.

 

This card will be issued within 60 days and will guarantee that, when travelling, people with disabilities have access to the same special conditions enjoyed by those residing in that country. This will include parking access and public and private services such as cultural events, museums, sports centres and amusement parks.

 

The European Disability Card must be provided in both physical and digital format.

 

In addition, the European Parking Card will be updated to replace national parking cards for people with disabilities. These cards must be issued within 30 days, although MEPs advocate including the option of requesting a digital version available in 15 days. Both the disability card and the parking card must incorporate a QR code to avoid counterfeiting.

 

The new regulations, which still need the approval of the plenary session of the European Parliament and the Council to be formally adopted, will give member states a period of two and a half years to adapt their national legislation and three and a half years to apply it.

 

“This law will not only facilitate travel, but will also realise the EU treaty commitment to free movement for all Europeans,” MEP Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová said.

 

“This is a beginning, not the end,” she added. “The fight for people with disabilities to have the same rights as any other EU citizen is a long-term fight and we need to make changes to EU legislation, especially in the area of social protection.”

 

 

Image: European Disability Forum