European Disability Forum

19/10/2026

1 month to go to the flagship European Accessibility Summit!

Join us online on the 17 November to discuss advances in accessibility with top decision-makers, advcoates and industry experts!
On the agenda:
- The European Accessibility Act
- Artificial Intelligence
- Electronic Communications
- Audiovisual media

Thanks to Microsoft for the support for this event.

Register: https://www.edf-feph.org/events-slug/european-accessibility-summit-2026/

15/10/2026

Who are the EU's champions of disability exclusion?

We analysed statistics on poverty, inability to access healthcare and early school leavers and the findings are bad.

Persons with disabilities are more likely to be impacted by these factors across the board. But also much more depending on where they live.

Discover the sad champions in this hall of shame:

06/10/2026

Our Executive Director Catherine Naughton has spoken during Freedom Drive 2026 march!

The message is clear: taxpayers money cannot go into segregating institutions. The EU Budget must take into consideration the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and make sure that no institution finance inaccessibility.

Thanks and congratulations to the European Network on Independent Living, for gathering over 400 activists from all over Europe to fight for freedom and independent living for persons with disabilities.

28/09/2026

We joined 50 Belgian organisations led by Unia and the Combat Poverty Service in filing a collective complaint against Belgium. The reason? Belgium has implemented its digital services at the point where they are starting to substitute non-digital services.

This poses a threat to those categories of people (e.g. persons with disabilities, older people, people experiencing poverty) that are unable to access digital devices (the so-called ‘digital divide’).

Unia and the Combat Poverty Service – together with Belgian civil society – have decided to file a complaint by the Council of Europe’s monitoring body. The idea is to push Belgium to provide essential services through other means that are not digital, such as phone help lines, mails, and physical offices. EDF is supporting the complaint on behalf of Unia, as only pan-European organisations can file complaints at the Council of Europe.

Read our blog post: https://www.edf-feph.org/organisations-file-complaint-against-belgium-for-deepening-digital-inequality/

23/09/2026

Today is the International Day of Sign Languages.

We join the European Union of the Deaf's call for the EU and European countries to recognise national sign languages as official languages.

Their latest publication, 'From recognition to officialisation: A European evolution of sign language rights', shows the importance of recognising national sign languages as official sign languages.

We also call on EU Institutions to increase the provision of sign interpretation - not only at events and flagship addresses, but also in their materials.

Read: https://eud.eu/from-recognition-to-officialisation-a-new-eud-book-redefining-sign-language-rights-in-europe/

23/09/2026

Are you an organisation or a coalition working on women rights and on disability rights? Then you may be eligible for our grant ‘Women with disabilities leading the change’!

We are planning to support organisations or coalitions throughout Europe willing to empower women and girls with disabilities. Whether you want to do research on the topic, organise capacity-building events for girls with disabilities, or translate resources that may benefit these communities, your project is welcome!

Who can apply? Members of the European Disability Forum, Members of our Members and partners of our members.

Deadline: 16 November, 18:00 CEST

Learn more and apply: https://www.edf-feph.org/apply-for-our-sub-granting-women-with-disabilities-leading-the-change/[

28/08/2026

How can we make participation in public life more inclusive for young people with disabilities?

Join us on 22 September 2026 for an interactive online event exploring practical ways to engage young people with disabilities in civic and community life: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=x493RNXEo061m9g8AYWbzl8wT_xdOpRPptE62KWK7FJUQTlET0ZINkVLUjZIV1hUVU1OTk5EU1pEWC4u

During the session, you will:
- learn from young people with disabilities and inclusion practitioners
- discuss real-life challenges and practical solutions in breakout groups
- hear insights from KEEP DRIVEN project partners in Italy (CBM Italia, Ledha), Latvia (Sustento) and France (APF France handicap)

More info and agenda on event page: https://www.edf-feph.org/events-slug/making-participation-inclusive-practical-approaches-for-engaging-young-people-with-disabilities-in-public-life/

26/08/2026

Personal testimonies often help show decision-makers the real impact of barriers we face.

To support our advocacy work and campaign on the Affordable Housing Act, we are collecting stories from persons with disabilities who have faced barriers when looking for accessible, affordable, and suitable housing.

Would you like to help us? Answer our survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=x493RNXEo061m9g8AYWbznDAispil5dFpnEugJg3x7JUQktKRlJOWjdGMDFONlFMMjlOV1ZRRTBZTS4u

12/08/2026

Today, on International Youth Day, we are launching our new Youth Manifesto: The Right to Shape Our Future.

Based on the results of a survey developed with our Youth Committee, the manifesto focuses on 3 priorities:
- The right to live in a just and accessible society
- The right to shape your own future
- The right to shape society

Young persons with disabilities are a significant part of youth population.

It is time to take their demands seriously.

We call on policymakers to build a more accessible, inclusive, and fair future for all. Read the demands of the Manifesto: https://www.edf-feph.org/launch-of-edf-manifesto-on-the-rights-of-young-persons-with-disabilities/

And download the full report: https://www.edf-feph.org/publications/the-right-to-shape-our-future-the-new-edf-manifesto-on-the-rights-of-young-persons-with-disabilities/

10/08/2026

Join us on 22-23 September to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD)!

Six years ago, the Web Accessibility Directive began requiring public sector websites across the European Union to be accessible. It marked the EU's first step towards a common approach to digital accessibility across Member States.

Six years later, what lessons have we learned? How can we successfully implement accessibility legislation across the EU and beyond?

Join us and take part in our workshop and full day event to explore these questions and learn from experts in the field.

New this year: WAD+EAA=True!
We are expanding the celebration to include the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The programme features a full day of panel discussions with leading accessibility professionals, policymakers, and advocates.

When: 22-23 September
Where: Online
Free of charge and open to everyone

The event is co-organised by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals: IAAP.

Accessibility features include live captions and international sign interpretation.

Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DzOy7gM8TV6_S80RLKsbzw #/registration
View the agenda and speakers: https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/wad-2026

Staying informed on accessibility in Europe is important to remain compliant.

Join IAAP EU and the European Disability Forum from September 22–23 for a free, two-day virtual event celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Web Accessibility Directive and exploring its intersection with the European Accessibility Act.

Learn from policymakers, accessibility experts, industry leaders, researchers, and persons with disabilities as they share practical insights on implementation, enforcement, standards, user experience, AI, procurement, and the future of digital accessibility across Europe.

If you are responsible for policy, design, development, testing, procurement, or accessibility strategy, this event offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding, learn from real-world experiences, and connect with the community shaping accessibility across the EU.

Learn more and register today: https://f.mtr.cool/ofrzpwraxw