European Blind Union

📢 Today, the Council of the European Union formally approved the final text of the #EUDisabilityCard and #EUParkingCard Directive. EBU welcomes this final legislative step, which will make both Cards a reality for people with disabilities by the end of 2028 the latest and strengthen their free movement across the EU. For more information, read the full press release available on our website: https://lnkd.in/eR-qmEby Photo credit: European Commission

Are you interested in EBU's latest campaign updates? What activities have our National Associations carried out last month? ✉️ Read our September 2024 Member's Newsletter and learn more about our organisation's recent activity: https://lnkd.in/eAy-u-zq

2024 has been a year full of important events for #VisuallyImpaired people and the community of persons with #disabilities at large. 🎧 Tune in to our "EBU in action" podcast and learn more about them. Episode 6 "EBU's General Assembly": https://lnkd.in/e6tcrifS Episode 7 "The 2024 EU Elections": https://lnkd.in/eEpSFrnn Episode 8 "The Paris 2024 #Paralympics: https://lnkd.in/eqCi-ha2 Segments also available on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e_HAugM9 Remember that you can find the episodes' transcripts on our website: https://lnkd.in/eA95txsY

A valuable friend, an extension of ourselves who guides us in our daily lives. 🧑🦯 On #WorldWhiteCaneDay, EBU underlines that governments should ensure that every #blind and #PartiallySighted person gets access to a white cane, making it an affordable aid for their personal mobility. At the same time, qualified professionals must also be available to provide them with the necessary skills in this domain and teach them how to use this device, as enshrined by article 20 of the UNCRPD.

Advocating for #inclusion needs active agents of change. ✍ Recently, over 108,000 signatures were collected to support the Inclusion Initiative in Switzerland. This feat was celebrated in a public gathering in Bern, where members of one of our Swiss Members, Schweizerischer Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband SBV, were present This initiative calls on the Confederation and cantons to take binding measures for the legal and active equality of people with disabilities. If you wish to know more about this, please read the focus article on our website: https://lnkd.in/eA8PX655 

Are you a #blind or #PartiallySighted person based in Slovakia? Recently, our Slovakian Member organised a conference focused on web #accessibility in different domains such as public administration or online services. For more information, read the full article on the event available on their website: https://lnkd.in/eHgef7im

🏃 Yesterday, we attended the #AccessibleEU hybrid event focused on the Paris 2024 #Olympics and #Paralympics. Participants discussed the best practices employed to make the experience of both events as inclusive as possible, such as improving the #accessibility of sporting infrastructures or providing support to persons with disabilities' mobility during the hosting of the Games. In this sense, speakers of the session also highlighted the coordination between all the administrative levels in France and the legacy left by this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in terms of inclusion, thus encouraging future organisers to use it for upcoming editions.

The lack of #inclusion for persons with disabilities in healthcare services can have a negative impact at a psychological level. 📢 On the occasion of #WorldMentalHealthDay, we call on authorities to take measures aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of article 25 of the UN #CRPD. Professionals of the health sector must accompany us in all stages, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment.

Over 30 million people in geographical Europe are blind or partially sighted. Furthermore, it is estimated that an average of 1 in 30 Europeans experience #SightLoss. In spite of advances in legislation, technology and research, there are still many barriers to be removed so eyecare services can be conceived in an accessible way for us. On #WorldSightDay, EBU emphasises the role of our National Members in advocating for change in this area, thus protecting the interests of persons with visual impairment in their countries. 

How can we make domains such as communication, education or mobility more accessible for persons with #disabilities? 💻 Check out the #AccessibleEU consortium's digital database and learn more about the best #accessibility practices across the EU: https://lnkd.in/eCdS7RNu