In an interview with Euronews’, Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Forum for Persons with Disabilities, explains “ that our disabilities disappear when crossing the border. “When we move to another country for business or tourism purposes for any reason, our disability is not recognized in any other member country.”
In order to provide greater mobility and accessibility for people with disabilities travelling across the European Union, the European Commission has submitted proposals for a new European Disability Card and a European parking card developed for people with disabilities.
The European Disability Card will serve as proof of disability across EU countries, allowing cardholders access to special conditions and services such as free entry, priority or personal assistance for trips under three months. This card will complement national disability cards, which will continue to be issued by national authorities according to their own criteria.
On the other hand, the new European parking card will replace existing national parking cards and guarantee access to designated parking spaces and facilities in all member countries.
According to Vardakastanis’, the cards will facilitate short journeys but will not solve the problem of long-term stays.
“Cards are the first step. They create more accessible conditions for people with disabilities, but they do not solve the real barrier to freedom of movement, the freedom to move, reside, work and live on equal terms in another member country like all Europeans, ” said.
Currently, if a person with a disability wishes to move to another member state, he or she must undergo an assessment there for the recognition of his or her disability. It may take a year or more for the process to be approved.
The cards won't change the fact that many places can't be reached.
Vardakastanis, “Currently we are in Belgium’, and if you look around carefully, you will see that Brussels’ is not at least the most accessible city for people with disabilities – has steps, bad sidewalks, signs that are not accessible, etc. – for me as a blind person to move alone with a white cane or for people who use wheelchairs or crutches, for example” explained Vardakastanis.
Both initiatives are currently in the negotiation phase. It may take another three and a half years for the cards to be fully implemented across the block.
