Disabled access sign – Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
(STRASBOURG) – The European Parliament and the EU Council reached agreement Thursday on an EU directive to establish the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities.
Under the rules, national authorities will be responsible for issuing physical and digital European disability cards, in an accessible format. The cards will be recognised throughout the EU as proof of disability or entitlement to specific services based on a disability.
The text which has been provisionally agreed maintains and reinforces the aim of the directive, which is to ensure equal access to special conditions or preferential treatment provided to persons with disabilities during short stays across the EU, such as reduced or zero entry fees, priority access, assistance and reserved parking spaces.
Other elements agreed in the negotiations between the EU Parliament and Council include:
- member states shall extend the usage of the European disability card for periods longer than a short stay in the context of EU mobility programmes, and may also choose to do so in other instances
- the European Disability card will be issued and renewed free of charge, except in cases of loss or damage; member states may choose to charge a fee relating to the administrative costs for the issuance or renewal of the European Parking Card
- the letter A can be added to the European Disability Card for persons with disabilities with an increased need for support or who are entitled to support by a personal assistant
- both cards will contain a QR code to prevent fraud
- an EU website, available in all languages and in accessible formats, will provide relevant information on the two cards; member states will also have to provide information on the cards to the public in accessible formats
- the digital format of the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities will remain optional for member states
