By Martin Banks
MEPs says they are “proud” of an agreement on a new EU law that aims to significantly improve the lives of over 100 million people with disabilities by easing their mobility across Europe.
The deal was reached this week in Strasbourg where MEPs have had their monthly plenary.
With this agreement, reached by negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states, the EU says it is creating a new European disability card and upgrading the European parking card.
Reaction to the deal was swift with João Albuquerque, S&D negotiator on EU legislation on disability cards, saying, “This is a historic moment for the recognition of rights of people with disabilies and a positive step towards a more inclusive Union.
“These new disability cards will grant equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment, such as benefits and discounts, when using various services and facilities across Europe. They will ease the use of public transport as well as access to museums, sport centres and parking spaces.”
“They will also ensure better access to publicly available information in accessible formats, including in digital and easy-to-read formats, and assistive formats, such as sign language, braille and easy to read.”
The MEP added, “One key achievement of the European Parliament is the extended scope for the use of the cards. They will also include mobility programmes. A new disability card will be free of charge and there will be centralised general information regarding preferential treatment and access to services.”
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