23 November 2026 | 10:00–12:00 CET | Online via Zoom
Organised by the ENIL Youth Network | Free participation
What does it mean to have a right on paper but face barriers to exercising it in everyday life?
Join the ENIL Youth Network for an interactive discussion on young disabled people’s access to social rights across Europe. Together, we will explore the barriers to education, employment, housing, healthcare and social protection, and what we can do to address them.
About the event
Young disabled people often face a significant gap between formally recognised rights and the support and opportunities available to them. Structural inequalities, inaccessible environments and discrimination can prevent these rights from becoming a reality.
This event builds on the Research Symposium on Young People’s Access to Social Rights, organised by the EU–Council of Europe Youth Partnership in Strasbourg on 15–17 September 2026, which representatives of the ENIL Youth Network attended.
We will bring together lived experience, research and practice to examine these challenges and explore opportunities for cooperation and action.
What to expect
The two-hour session will combine presentations, short panel discussions, audience questions, brainstorming and collective reflection. Together, we will:
- Explore the gap between social rights commitments and young people’s everyday experiences.
- Discuss the specific and intersecting barriers faced by young disabled people.
- Connect perspectives from youth work, research and disability-rights advocacy.
- Share initiatives and ideas for improving access to social rights.
Participants will be invited to ask questions, share experiences and contribute ideas throughout the event.
Who should join?
Young people, including young disabled people, researchers, youth workers, practitioners, disability-rights organisations, activists and anyone interested in advancing young people’s access to social rights.
Accessibility and practical information
- Participation is free, with registration required.
- The event will take place online via Zoom.
- Automatic captions in English will be available.
- International Sign interpretation may be available on request, subject to resources. Please contact the organiser to discuss this.
- The event will be recorded, and the recording may be published on ENIL’s communication channels.
For further information or accessibility requests, contact Nina Portolan, ENIL Youth Coordinator, at nina.portolan@enil.eu.