There are currently approximatively 90 million persons with disabilities in the EU but their disability status is not recognised across Member States. This may deter persons with disabilities from travelling to other countries as they may not access the same preferential conditions (such as discounts or free access) to some services (such as culture, leisure, transport) than in their Member State. To overcome these issues, the European Commission is considering to introduce a European Disability Card to ensure mutual recognition of disability status across Member States and facilitate free movement and equal enjoyment of rights for persons with disabilities. The initiative would build on the EU Disability Card pilot project and the EU parking card for persons with disabilities.
Open Evidence, in consortium with EY, IRVAPP and VVA, is conducting the “Study supporting the Impact assessment of an EU initiative introducing the European Disability Card“. In the context of the impact assessment, the European Commission launched a public consultation to collect stakeholders’ views on the existing problems, possible solutions and their expected impacts. The study consortium supported the development of the questionnaire of the public consultation and will analyse the results.
The public consultation is open until 5 May 2023 and is addressed primarily at persons with disabilities and their organisations, public authorities and service providers, as well as any other interested stakeholders. https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13517-European-disability-card/public-consultation_en