The theme of this year’s European Independent Living Day on the 5th May is ”Barriers to Independent Living”. We would like to encourage you to mark the day by organising events in your countries. We invite you to take pictures and record testimonies, describing the barriers to Independent Living you face, and to share these with ENIL in the run up to the 5th May. These barriers can be any sort of obstacles to living independently that you find in your path in everyday life, such as tricky kerbs on the streets of your neighbourhood, interesting TV programmes without subtitles, or problems with seeing a doctor or using public transport.
We would like to use this European Independent Living Day to raise awareness about two particular issues – barriers to the right to vote and the European Accessibility Act. We would particularly welcome examples of barriers to voting and full citizenship and barriers we can use to advocate for a stronger European Accessibility Act. Please send this to the 5th May coordinator Lauri at evsvolunteer2@enil. Thank you!
How can I take part in the European Independent Living Day?
- Organise an event in your town, neighbourhood, at your workplace, your school or university. The event does not have to be big – it can be a coffee morning at your local community centre, for example. Please let ENIL know what you are planning, so that we can share this on Facebook.
- Please send a photo and/or a recording (testimony) of the barriers you encounter to Lauri at evsvolunteer2@enil.eu, so they can be posted on Facebook before and on the 5th
- Spread the news about the European Independent Living Day on the social media. Use the following hashtags: #ILDAY18 #independentliving
- If you are in Brussels or the vicinity, join ENIL at the screening of “Defiant Lives”in the European Parliament. You can register here by the 23rd
