Liz to open European Parliament of Disabled People

4.49.25pm GMT Mon 10th Nov 2003

The European Parliament for Disabled People was held in the European Parliament buildings in Brussels on 10-11 November 2003.

West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne will be opening the inaugural plenary session of the 2003 European Parliament of Disabled People today in Brussels.

First established in 1993, the European Parliament of Disabled People forms part of the programme of the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003. More than 200 delegates from 28 countries, either disabled people or the parents of disabled people unable to represent themselves, will be participating. Among other things, the Parliament is expected to provide feedback on the European Year itself, and draw up a manifesto for the European Disability Movement to lobby political parties with in the run up to the 2004 European Elections.

Liz Lynne, who drafted the report in the European Parliament that established the Year, is also the Vice President of the European Parliament's All Party Disability Intergroup. Speaking in advance of the opening of the Disabled People's Parliament, she said:

"I am very honoured to have been asked to open the plenary session of the European Parliament of Disabled People today, but ultimately the day is not about politicians like myself. Right from the outset, it was always intended that the agenda for the 2003 European Year would be set by and for disabled people themselves. We need to move away from the medical model of disability and instead adopt a social, or rights based approach. To that end, what is important is providing equal access to society and allowing disabled people's voices to be heard.

"One outcome of the week I am hoping for is a clear statement in support of a Disability Directive to protect the rights of disabled people across the EU. Despite overwhelming support for this in the European Parliament, we still need to persuade the European Commission of the need and the more pressure they face on the matter, the better."

Related Links:

European Disability Forum.

European Year of People with Disabilities 2003.