Template letter Disability Pact
Monday, 10 May 2010 Last Updated ( Tuesday, 11 May 2010 )YOUR INFO. AND ADDRESS
Mr. (Minister of Social Affairs)
Address:
Dear Minister (name) ,
I am writing to you as a (please state your occupation if you wish) and a member of ENIL.
ENIL – European Network on Independent Living wants to call your attention to the European situation weare facing at this moment, the exclusion of disability in the next European treaty. The Lisbon Treaty has come to an end and the Council of Ministers are drawing up the 2020 strategy that does not clearly include disability. It is essential that the disability perspective is included as disabled people are facing discrimination, social exclusion, poverty and life conditions which are unacceptable. Many disabled people are imprisoned in institutions or even in their homes.
ENIL therefore requires the inclusion of the objectives of the European Disability Pact in the next treaty:
- Review of EU legislation to make it consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities;
- Mainstreaming of disability in EU policies, including programmes for financial support such as the European Structural Funds and development cooperation assistance;
- Definition of common objectives based on the UN Convention principles, to be reviewed every four years which would commit Member States. They would have to present a biennial report;
- Close involvement of organisations of persons with disabilities at national and EU level.
The treaty should also include the following priorities from the European Disability Pact:
- Equal access and opportunities in education
- Equal treatment and access in employment
- Minimum income and social protection
- Freedom of movement
- Independent Living
- Access to goods and services, transport and built environment.
The European Disability Pact is a product of the European Disability Forum's (EDF) work through its members.
(See: http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=23118 )
I thank you for your time and effort to see that this situation is corrected.
With kind regards,
Your signature and organization