European Disability Forum

05/06/2026

We are proud to join next week in New York.

The Conference of State Parties is an annual event organised by the United Nations. During the Conference, participants discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Participants include representatives of the State Parties (countries and regional organisations that ratified the Convention), civil society organisations (such as organisations of persons with disabilities) and disability rights experts (such as the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities and academics).

Our Vice-President Nadia Hadad and Secretary General Ana Pelaez Narvaez will speak on our behalf at many events.

We are also co-organising the side event 'Supporting Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) & Civil society: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UNCRPD'

Learn all about it: https://www.edf-feph.org/19th-conference-of-state-parties-to-the-un-crpd/

29/05/2026

Are you a young person interested in inclusive urban development?
Join our online training with the Act4DYS project on 11 June!

You will learn how to use an Urban Assessment Tool to:
- evaluate accessibility and inclusion in your city
- develop evidence-based proposals
- communicate effectively with local decision-makers

More info and registration on our website: https://www.edf-feph.org/events-slug/online-act4dys-training-session/

Registration closes on 5 June or when all places are filled.

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is pleased to invite youth to an online training session taking place on 11 June at 2:00 PM as part of the Act4DYS project. The session aims to support young people in gaining the knowledge needed to participate actively in urban development processes within their...

27/05/2026

Funding opportunity for EDF member organisations and their members who want to work on Artificial Intelligence (AI)!

The aim is to empower Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and strengthen their capacity to understand, use, and engage with AI by developing AI-related activities at local, national and European level.

Through this programme, we will provide funding for self-directed initiatives that support the disability movement to engage with AI.

More information on how to apply on our website (article accessible to members only): https://www.edf-feph.org/sub-granting-for-edf-members-empowered-by-ai/

Applications open until 5th July 2026, 23:59 Brussels time.
The results will be announced to grantees by 15th July 2026.

26/05/2026

As AI increasingly shapes our societies, it is essential to understand its impact on women with disabilities. Are you a woman with disabilities? Then we especially want to hear from you!

Are you concerned about being censored online by AI-based speech filters when sharing content on disability, feminism, or gender equality?

Do you think automation and AI are more likely to remove jobs or create new opportunities for women with disabilities?

Do you think violence against women and girls with disabilities has increased with easier access to AI-based tools?

We are preparing a report on AI and women with disabilities and want to learn about your experiences with AI.

Take our short survey by 30 June: https://lnkd.in/eUm-JpJq

Your answers are anonymous (unless you decide to give us your email address).

10/05/2026

A lot happened on during our Annual General Assembly!

Meet our new Board: https://www.edf-feph.org/edf-board-2026-2030/
And Executive Committee: https://www.edf-feph.org/executive/

And we are very proud to announce the election of Gunta Anča as the European Disability Forum’s new President!

Gunta is a long‑standing European disability rights leader, with over two decades of experience advancing equality and human rights for persons with disabilities. She is the Chairperson of the Latvian umbrella organisation of disability NGOs Sustento, and served as Vice‑President of EDF for many years.

Gunta is also the first woman to take on the Presidency of the Forum. We couldn’t be happier to have such an inspiring leader guiding our organisation and driving change for inclusion and disability rights across the European Union.

09/05/2026

Our Annual General Assembly starts today, and it’s a big one!

This weekend, we will be electing our new President, Board, Executive Committee, and Finance, and Membership and Credential Committees.

But first, we celebrate Ioannis Vardakastanis, historic President of the European Disability Forum since 1999, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping and advancing disability rights across the European Union.

Some would say he has been shaking hands since 1999... 🤝 But he has done so much more!

05/05/2026

The next EU budget must advance disability rights and social inclusion.

But the European Commission’s current budget proposal risks doing the opposite.

For this next EU budget to work, we need:
- the CRPD back in the Horizontal Principles
- clear rules and higher budget for social spending : at least 25%!

Read more about our campaign and position on the next EU budget: https://www.edf-feph.org/ensuring-the-next-eu-budget-supports-our-rights/

24/04/2026

We need to ensure urban mobility is accessible and sustainable, particularly for young people and those with disabilities.

That’s the aim of our project!
Our Interactive E-Portfolio is now live, the mini-game is entering technical testing, and the Training Package is ready for piloting.

Explore good practices, prepare to test our game, or join the training pilot: https://act4dys.eu/category/eportfolio/

17/04/2026

News on the European Disability Card and European Parking Card!

The European Commission is asking for feedback on the digital features of the physical Cards!

The Commission is preparing a delegated act to give guidance on aspesctes such as security features, QR Codes and interoperability.

You have until the 30 April to give feedback

Read more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14767-European-Disability-Card-and-European-Parking-Card-digital-features-for-the-physical-versions_en

15/04/2026

If you ask us, the European Disability Forum (EDF) was looking good in the 90s! 😎

The 1990s were an important decade for disability rights in the European Union.

In 1996, the European Disability Forum became an independent organisation following the end of "HELIOS", the European Commission's consultative programme on disability.

The first European Day of Persons with Disabilities took place in 1993. On 3 December of that year, 518 persons with disabilities from 12 EU Member States met at the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss disability rights. This unprecedented gathering set the foundations for what would later become the European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities.

In June 1997, the Amsterdam Treaty updated the Treaty on European Union. For the first time in the EU’s 40‑year history, disability was explicitly mentioned in the non-discrimination article. This was a memorable achievement for the European disability movement, which had campaigned for this change for many years.