For disabled migrants and those living between cultures, too often our stories and rights are invisible in immigration conversations, and invisible in disability conversations. Moving and living between places and cultures can be exhilarating and overwhelming, fruitful and stressful. When we add disability to the mix, it’s even more complex. My name is Áine Kelly-Costello….
Celebration of the European Independent Living Day was organized through a set of different activities which started before this day and lasted during May. Topic of this year celebration was Mobility, which includes right to personal mobility (freedom of movement) of persons with disabilities, therefore it was set as a key topic of organized activities….
The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL is looking for a 3 months European Solidarity Corps volunteer, from 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021. As a European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteer, you will work in the ENIL Brussels office and gain experience in advocating for changes in European laws and policies, as part…
On 14th June, the World Independent Living Centre Network (WIN) organised its first joint side event, with a commitment to strengthen the global Independent Living Movement and to play a role in the COVID-19 recovery. The event was organised during the 14th session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the…
On May 5th, it was the European Independent Living Day, or as some of our friends put it, “#ENILDay”. The 5th May is one of the biggest days in the ENIL calendar. The theme for this year’s celebrations was movement and mobility, which of course goes hand in hand with the UN Convention on the…
During May and June, we have three volunteers joining the ENIL Team. Peadar O’Dea is part of our 8-month long European Solidarity Corps programme and will be based at the Brussels Office, while the other two volunteers will work remotely for approximately 3 months. We are happy to have them on board, and you can…
The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and the Association of Women with Disabilities (ENG-KAD) are starting a new project, which aims to promote the development of personal assistance in Turkey by ensuring that people with disabilities are better informed and better able to advocate tor personal assistance. Personal assistance is a tool, which allows…
In Brussels, 5th May 2021 – Today, as we mark the 8th European Independent Living Day, we are calling for the release of Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski, from the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Belarus. Both men have been detained for over three months and are facing up to four…
The 8th edition of the European Independent Living Day on the 5th May is around the corner, and, as we recently wrote, this year we decided to dedicate it to the idea of movement or mobility, in a broader way. With this, we hope that many people and organisations across Europe and beyond will be motivated to…
In view of the dialogue between France and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee), which is scheduled for August 2021, Coordination Handicap et Autonomie – Vie Autonome France (CHA – France) – supported by ENIL – sent a number of recommendations for the Concluding Observations. The contribution gives an overview…
The name of our Association is the Association of the Physically Disabled, Lower River Region. This Association is in the countryside, in which we have children, elders and women. We are from Gambia, within the West Africa. Our Association is registered to the Anthony general chamber and we have a Land of 50/50 meter square….
Independent Living has spread from the USA to many countries across the world. Started in the 60s by American activists, the ideology, philosophy and movement of Independent Living has been important for changes, making the world a better place for disabled people[1]. In the book – Vying for a Choice: Gordana Rajkov – A Life…
Disability Activism in Europe: Young Disabled Activist’s Views and Experiences is a research project that explores disability activism, politics, and the activities of young disabled activists across Europe to challenge marginalisation and discrimination. It is co-funded by the University of Leeds and the Leverhulme Trust. It is led by Dr Miro Griffiths, a former board…
Today, the European Commission launched a new Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021 – 2030. The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL welcomes the Strategy, which will act as a roadmap for the EU institutions and Member States in the coming decade. The strategy has three main themes: 1. Enjoying EU…
In 2014, the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL celebrated 25 years of existence. To commemorate this event and to celebrate our growing network, the ENIL Board decided to declare May 5th as the European Day on Independent Living. This day can be used as a day of celebration, for protests or any other…
On 29th January, ENIL took part in the webinar “COVID 19 and the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Independent Living in a Pandemic”, organised by the Croatian Association for Self- Advocacy. The webinar was moderated by Damjan Janjušević from the Association for Self-Advocacy. The panellists were: Anka Slonjšak, Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities, Kristina…
For a month now, I have been trying to put into words the best, strangest and most transformative year of my life so far. When I first learned about the Independent Living movement and ENIL during a study session in 2019, I thought ESC opportunities and those experiences were so far away from me. Because…
The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL, stands in solidarity with our member organisation in Belarus, the Office for the Rights of People with Disabilities (ORPD), and other human rights organisations. As stated in the letter signed by a number of civil society organisations in the country, they are being targeted by the Department…
There has been little acknowledgement of disabled people’s rights, requirements, and policy needs during the campaigns, negotiations, and agreements that surround the UK’s exit from the EU. The referendum, the transition period, and the subsequent trade deals have not addressed the widespread concerns raised by disabled activists, their organisations, and scholars committed to improving disabled…
Which issues mostly affect your experience on public transport? We would like to hear from you! In the TRIPS project, ENIL is playing a central role in the design of a new index to assess the level of accessibility of urban transport services. This index will be called Mobility Divide Index (MDI) and it will…
