Rheumatic diseases in the EU legislature
Rheumatic diseases and European
disability legislation
Based on the new Article 13, on 27 November 2000 the Council adopted Directive 2000/78/EC
"Establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation". The directive
prohibits any discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual
orientation. With regard to disability, the directive recognises that the failure to provide
“a reasonable accommodation” in the workplace can constitute discrimination.
The EU strategy on disability is built on three pillars:
- EU anti-discrimination legislation and measures, which provide access to individual rights
- Eliminating barriers in the environment that prevent disabled people from exercising their abilities
- Mainstreaming disability issues in the broad range of Community policies which facilitate the active inclusion of people with disabilities.
The main EU instrument established by the European Commission to ensure a coherent policy in the field of disability in the EU is the Disability Action Plan (DAP). The DAP covers the period 2004-2010 in successive phases, each highlighting a number of inter-linked priorities.
EULAR Social Leagues and PARE Manifesto
The EULAR Social Leagues and PARE Manifesto will focus their activities on the disability aspect in
2007 and work towards strengthening disability non-discrimination legislation through a specific EU
Disability Directive. As part of this focus, the last AAA day which took place on 7 March 2007
was addressing rheumatic diseases also in the context of disability legislation.
Additionally, PARE Manifesto / EULAR Social Leagues decided to support a campaign launched by the European Disability Forum on 23 January 07. This aims to collect 1 million signatures demanding EU legislation to combat discrimination against persons with disabilities. Arthritis/rheumatism is the single biggest cause for physical disability with more than 100 million people affected. It is crucial for PARE Manifesto / EULAR Social Leagues not only to be involved but to be a major contributor to the success of the campaign. The final list of signatures will be handed over to the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament on 4 October 2007.
In addition, in 2007 some Social Leagues will be involved in the organisation and implementation
of national, regional and local activities envisaged as part of the European Year of Equal
Opportunities for All. The aim of the European Year is to make European Union citizens aware of
their right to non-discrimination and equal treatment and to promote equal opportunities for all
– access to employment, education, in the workplace or in the healthcare sector.
RELATED INFORMATION
1Million4Disability
Make disability discrimination history
Council Directive "Equal treatment in employment"
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Disability Action Plan (DAP)
European Year of
Equal Opportunities