Calling for a discrimination-free Europe

2.20.14pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 12th Feb 2007

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has added her support to the new "1million4disability" campaign launched by the European Disability Forum. This initiative seeks to gather the signatures of 1 million people in favour of stronger EU legislation to combat discrimination towards disabled people.

Sarah said:

"2007 has been designated the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All and I welcome this initiative by the European Disability Forum."

"EU legislation has already made an important contribution in fighting discrimination by prohibiting direct or indirect discrimination against disabled people in the job market, improving the accessibility of public transport and buildings and supporting the development of a United Nations Convention on disability, to mention but a few examples.

But, Sarah says the EU can and should do more to complement initiatives being taken at the national level:

"There are around 50,000 disabled people in Europe, and the EU must strive to ensure that they have the same opportunities to participate in economic and social life as able-bodied people."

Notes

To sign up to the petition go to http://www.1million4disability.eu/