The European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views from across civil society on how to enhance the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030.
The strategy needs improvement because of new challenges and opportunities which have emerged for persons with disabilities since 2021, says the Commission.
Post-pandemic societal changes, and speedy technological developments are among the factors affecting the lives of persons with disabilities in the EU and globally. A new impetus is needed to respond to their needs. The Commission’s new consultation seeks feedback on how the EU can act effectively to lower accessibility and inclusion barriers and strengthen support.
The Commission will be putting forward a new set of actions in 2026 aiming to improve the lives of persons with disabilities across Europe and globally. The overall objectives of the Strategy will remain in place while, new actions will build on a mid-term progress report,and also address the concluding observations issued by the United Nations in April 2025 on the EU’s implementation of the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“Today we take another important step in building our Union of Equality,” said EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said: “With this wide consultation we want to hear from citizens with disabilities, from their support networks, from organisations defending their rights or providing disability support services, and from all stakeholders. Better supporting persons with disabilities concerns us all.”
In parallel to the public consultation, the Commission carries out targeted consultations with the European Disability Platform, which gathers together Member States and EU-level disability civil society organisations, as well as social partners and other civil society organisations.
The consultation will run until 6 February. More information on the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 can be found online.
Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030
