Monitoring framework

Overview

In 2021, the Commission provided practical guidance to Member States to support the implementation of the accessibility obligations under the public procurement directives, and promote training for public procurers to buy accessible.

• Lead DG: GROW/EMPL C3
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025) 

The Commission published a new “Buying Social” guide on socially responsible public procurement on 26 May 2021.  

More information

Buying Social guide

Overview

In 2021, the Commission included accessibility and inclusiveness in the reinforced EU governments interoperability strategy, focusing on human-centric and user-friendly digital public services across Europe that respond to the needs and preferences of European citizens, including the needs of persons with disabilities.

• Lead DG: DIGIT
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

The Interoperable Europe Act entered into force on 11 April 2024. The Act aims to strengthen cross-border interoperability and cooperation in the public sector across the EU. 

The Act introduces a structured and co-owned EU cooperation framework for public administrations with the following pillars:

• An Interoperable Europe Board - that is co-owned by the Member States and the EU and supported by public and private actors – for the development of a common strategic agenda for cross-border interoperability, supporting the operational implementation of shared interoperability solutions, and progress monitoring
• Mandatory interoperability assessments to evaluate the impact of binding requirements related to cross-border interoperability in the EU. They are mandatory for both Member State public administrations as well as EU Institutions., Bodies and Agencies.
• The ‘Interoperable Europe Portal’ as a community platform and one-stop-shop for shared and reusable interoperability solutions. It further includes information on the governance mentioned above, a repository of submitted interoperability assessments as well as information regarding the implementation of the Act in general.
• Innovation and support measures, including regulatory sandboxes and GovTech cooperation, to promote policy experimentation, developing skills and the scaling up of interoperability solutions for reuse.  

As such, the Interoperable Europe Act stresses the importance of reflecting on user needs and accessibility in the design and development of interoperable, trans-European digital public services up to the lowest administrative division. This is also based on the Act’s foundation in the European Interoperability Framework which features accessibility as one of its 12 main principles. 

The interoperability cooperation framework presented by the Act is steered by the Interoperable Europe Board. The Board is composed of representatives from the EU Member States, the Commission, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee. The Commission chairs the Board, which meets bi-annually. 

More information

Interoperable Europe Act

Interoperable Europe Portal

Overview

In 2022, the Commission evaluated the application of the Web Accessibility Directive and assessed whether the Directive should be revised to address any gaps identified, such as scope, technological advances, and coherence with other relevant EU legislation.

• Lead DG: CNECT
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

In December 2022, the Commission published the evaluation report of the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD). 

The evaluation includes the results of the 2021 public consultation on the application of the Directive in practice, Member States’ accessibility monitoring reports and a supporting study.

The Commission Decision of 11 August 2021 harmonised the latest European standard on ‘Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services’.

Updates to this standard are expected in the future. Member States have submitted reports of the second monitoring period 2022–2024.

More information

Evaluation report:

Executive summary (SWD(2022)411 final)

Evaluation report (SWD(2022)410 final)

Press release

Results of the 2021 public consultation

Member States’ accessibility monitoring reports

Supporting study:

Easy Read executive summary

Easy Read synopsis report

Final study report

Executive summary

European standard (EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03))

Commission decision of 11 August 2021

Web Accessibility Monitoring Reports 2022–2024

Overview

In line with the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, in 2021 the Commission reviewed  the passenger rights regulatory framework including rights for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility in transport by air, water, bus and coach.

• Lead DG: MOVE
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025) 

Two Commission legislative proposals were adopted in November 2023.

The proposal to amend all the current passenger rights regulations will help passengers (including persons with disabilities) to seek redress if their rights are not respected (e.g. the Commission would adopt a fully accessible complaint form available in all official languages) and make the enforcement activities of the competent national authorities easier.

Another proposal aims to extend passenger rights to multimodal journeys.

More information

Proposal for a regulation as regards enforcement of passenger rights in the Union (COM(2023) 753 final)

Proposal for a regulation on passenger rights in the context of multimodal journeys (COM(2023) 752 final)

Overview

In 2022, the Commission launched the Inventory of Assets on rail infrastructure.

• Lead DG: MOVE
• Status: Delayed

Progress to date (2025)

The project 'inventory of assets on rail infrastructure' aims at collecting and exchanging information on the accessibility of stations between the different actors of the railway sector at European level. 

The ‘inventory of assets’ is now a project for a database called ERSAD (European Railway Stations Accessibility Database). The technical specification for the full-scale development of ERSAD is prepared by the ERA, to be assigned to a contractor and executed in the framework contract to be signed in the summer of 2024. 

The Inventory of Assets database (ERSAD) was in testing phase with the stakeholders responsible for data provision during Q4 of 2025. It is foreseen to go into production after the testing phase and to be publicly launched in Q1 of 2026.

More information

European Union Agency for Railways (ERA)

Recommendation ERA-REC-122 V2.0 (2022) of the European Union Agency for Railways on the technical specification for Interoperability relating to the subsystem 'telematics applications for passenger services' of the Union rail system (chapter 4.2.6.2.)

Overview

In 2021, the Commission reviewed the Regulation on Union Guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network to strengthen the provision on accessibility.

• Lead DG: MOVE
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

The revised Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Guidelines were adopted and published in June 2024.

More information

EU guidelines for developing the trans-European transport network (Regulation (EU) 2024/1679)

Overview

Work with Member States in the European Cooperation Network on Elections to support full electoral participation and accessibility of the European elections (both as voter and as candidate), addressing underrepresented citizens, including citizens with a disability in order to guarantee the exercise of political rights of persons with disabilities on equal basis with others.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The European Cooperation Network on Elections (ECNE) followed up on the ‘Guide of good electoral practices addressing participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process’ and the ‘Compendium of e-voting and other information and technology communication practices’. The network also supported the preparation of the Commission Report on the 2024 elections to the European Parliament, which includes a dedicated session to participation of persons with disabilities. As part of its strategy seminar organised on 5-6 February 2025, the network discussed several issues, including inclusiveness and equality of opportunities in elections for different groups, such as persons with disabilities.

More information

European cooperation network on elections - European Commission (europa.eu)

Overview

Establish, in 2023, on this basis and in close cooperation with Member States in the framework of the European Cooperation Network on Elections a guide of good electoral practice addressing participation of citizens with disabilities in the electoral process.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

On 6 December 2023, the Commission published a ‘Guide of good electoral practices in Member States addressing participation of citizens with disabilities in the electoral process’ as part of a ‘Citizenship package’. It was prepared in close cooperation with Member States in the framework of the European Cooperation Network on Elections, and by consulting different stakeholders active in the field of rights for persons with disabilities. The guide reflects the various measures taken by Member States to address the obstacles faced by citizens with disabilities when interacting with the electoral environment and to ensure the effectiveness of their electoral rights. It also highlights the emergence of common references on delivering accessible elections.

The Guide is available in all EU official languages and in an accessible word format.

More information

Guide of good electoral practices in Member States addressing the participation of citizens with disabilities in the electoral process - European Commission (europa.eu)https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/eu-citizenship/democracy-and-electoral-rights_en

Overview

Seek to address the needs of citizens with a disability in the compendium on e-voting envisaged under the European Democracy Action Plan.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

On 6 December 2023, the Commission has published a Compendium of e-voting and other Information and communication technology practices in cooperation with Member States and the Council of Europe. The Compendium also seeks to address the needs of persons with disabilities, fostering election accessibility.

More information

Compendium of e-voting and other ICT practices: Non-Paper from the Commission services (europa.eu)

Overview

Building on the existing voluntary European Quality Framework for Social Services, the Commission will present, by 2024, a specific framework for Social Services of Excellence for persons with disabilities, to improve service delivery for persons with disabilities and to enhance the attractiveness of jobs in this area including through upskilling and reskilling of service providers.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Delayed

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission has published in February 2024 the report prepared by the European Disability Expertise (EDE) on “Disability-relevance of quality assurance systems in social services”. The report has been presented to the Disability Platform at its plenary meeting of 18 March 2024.

A dedicated sub-group on social services has been created within the Disability Platform at the end of March/beginning of April to support preparations towards the initiative and has met three times in the first half of 2024. 

An exchange on the flagship with EU Member States within the Council’s Social Protection Committee took place in September 2024.

Overview

In 2022, the Commission will present a package to improve labour market outcomes of persons with disabilities, seeking cooperation with the European Network of Public Employment Services, social partners and organisations of persons with disabilities. The package will support Member States in the implementation of the relevant Employment Guidelines through the European Semester. It will provide guidance and support mutual learning on strengthening capacities of employment and integration services, promoting hiring perspectives through affirmative action and combating stereotypes, ensuring reasonable accommodation, securing health and safety at work and vocational rehabilitation schemes in case of chronic diseases or accidents, exploring quality jobs in sheltered employment, and pathways to the open labour market.

• Lead DG: EMPL
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Package has been developed and published. It consists of guidance and model practices on inclusive and accessible employment of persons with disabilities. The Package has been developed jointly with European Network of Public Employment Services, EU agencies and social partners, guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (notably its Article 27 on work and employment). The guidance and practices, some of which are translated in all EU languages cover all stages of employment, from recruitment, through prevention and retention, and return to employment. It consists of 7 deliverables. The Package not only explains legal and policy frameworks as well as the obligations of the employers, but it also sheds the light on alternative employment models. The study on alternative employment models provides a snapshot of the situation across the EU. It is a first study of this kind. 

To help implement the Package guidance and practices, the Commission has launched a Social Innovation Initiative transnational call with a budget of 10 million Euro.

More information

Disability employment package - Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Overview

Publish, in 2021, an implementation report on the EU Employment Equality Directive and, if appropriate, follow up with a legal proposal in particular to strengthen the role of equality bodies.  

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

An implementation report on the Employment Equality Directive and the Racial Equality Directive has been published in March 2021 (EUR-Lex - 52021DC0139 - EN - EUR-Lex). The Commission is currently working on the next report (to be published in spring 2026).

The legislative proposals to strengthen the role and independence of equality bodies have been approved by the co-legislators in May 2024 (Directive - EU - 2024/1499 - EN - EUR-Lex and Directive - 2024/1500 - EN - EUR-Lex). Member States shall adapt their national legislation to the provisions of the new directives by 19 June 2026 (Strengthening the role of equality bodies across the EU: Council adopts two directives - Consilium (europa.eu)).

Overview

Issue, in 2021, an Action Plan on Social Economy to improve the enabling environment for the social economy, including opportunities related to persons with disabilities, through social enterprises with a focus on integration, into the open labour market.

• Lead DG: EMPL
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

On 9 December 2021, the European Commission adopted an Action Plan on the Social Economy, which puts forward concrete measures to help mobilise the full potential of the social economy. Social entrepreneurship and the social economy help build bridges for persons with disabilities to employment in the open labour market and provide services that are essential to support their independent living.

The Action Plan, consisting of 63 actions have been implemented. Currently, a mid-term review of the Plan has been launched with a view to adjust and/or propose the actions reflecting Commission’s current priorities. 

More information

Press release

Overview

Launch, in 2022, a study on social protection and servicesfor persons with disabilities to examine good practices on disability benefits, old-age income, health insurance, cash and non-cash benefits as well as on extra-costs due to disability.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

In 2022 the Commission launched a study on social protection and services for persons with disabilities. The task, contracted to the European Social protection Network (ESPN, then renamed ESPAN), consisted in an analysis of policies in 35 countries, concluded with the publication of the Synthesis Report “Social protection for people with disabilities” in December 2022. This Synthesis Report aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the access of people with disabilities to social protection support, by describing and analysing the provision of disability-specific income support and of selected support services for people with disabilities, focussing on people aged 18 years and above. The report examined five social protection schemes: disability-specific income support for working age people with disabilities, social protection measures for older people with disabilities, provision of cash benefits to cover specific disability-related expenses in the fields of healthcare and housing, social protection benefits for risks other than disability (with a focus on access to mainstream unemployment benefits and to minimum income schemes and other social assistance support), and provision of assistive technology (including devices) and personal assistance. The report also mapped recent or announced social protection reforms (and their respective impact on people with disabilities), provided an overview of national debates on the social protection of people with disabilities, and identified good practices enhancing the effective access of people with disabilities to social protection benefits and services. 

More information

Social protection for people with disabilities - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)

Overview

Launch a study on procedural safeguards for vulnerable adults in criminal proceedings, and assess the need for legislative proposals strengthening the support and protection of vulnerable adults who fall victims of crime, in line with the EU Victims’ Rights Strategy (2020-2025).

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The matter of procedural safeguards for vulnerable adults was discussed during the High-Level Forum on the Future of Criminal Justice which was launched in February of this year by the Commission and the Council Presidency. The Commission highlighted that only one Member State had transmitted information indicating that it had implemented the 2013 Recommendation. The other Member States did, however, indicate that they too have taken measure to implement the Recommendation of which they had not previously notified the Commission. The Commission has therefore requested further information from Member States on the state of play of the implementation of the Recommendation, which it is still in the process of collating. For the time being, there appears to be no support for a legislative initiative to render the safeguards set out in the 2013 Recommendation legally binding.   

The rights of persons with disabilities who fall victims of crime are dealt by the Commission proposal for the revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive adopted in 2023. In the proposal the Commission provides for a horizontal provision that facilitates accessibility for persons with disabilities of all rights under the Directive, including procedural rights. The revision is currently negotiated by the co-legislators in trilogues and we expect its swift adoption.

Overview

Provide guidance to Member States on access to justice for persons with disabilities in the EU, building on international guidance provided by the United Nations.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard continues building on the 2022 publication. 2024 Scoreboard presented specific arrangements for supporting the participation of persons with disabilities as professionals in the justice system.

As charts on persons with disabilities were presented in the 2022 and the 2024 EU Justice Scoreboards, updated charts could be included in the 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard.

More information

The 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard

Overview

Develop measures to support Member States in boosting the participation of persons with disabilities as professionals in the justice system and collect good practices on supported decision-making.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Delayed

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission mapped practices in the Member States through the EU Justice Scoreboard and organised exchanges on good practices in the expert group of contact persons for national justice systems. The data collection starts in Q4 of each year. The EU Justice Scoreboard looks at the independence, efficiency and quality of the judicial systems in Member States according to a number of indicators. Since 2022, the Scoreboard covers issues related to persons with disabilities. In 2022, it looked at specific arrangements for access to justice, showing that all Member States have at least one measure in place. In 2024, it looked at specific arrangements for supporting the participation of persons with disabilities as professionals in the justice systems. Input can be provided to the scoreboard through the Call for Evidence which is usually published in September or October.

As charts on persons with disabilities were presented in the 2022 and the 2024 EU Justice Scoreboards, updated charts could be included in the 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard.

More information

Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities (europa.eu)

Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities (europa.eu)

Overview

Issue in 2021 a toolkit for inclusion in early childhood education and care, which includes a specific chapter on children with disabilities.

• Lead DG: EAC
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission published the toolkit and held a webinar: Toolkit for inclusive early childhood education and care.

The European Education Area strategic framework Working Group on Early Childhood Education and Care (2021-2025) has continued facilitating peer learning between Member States and stakeholders and exchange of best practices on inclusion, with the following deliverables: 

More information

How can ECEC leaders best recruit and manage diverse teams and work with diverse families? 

ECEC - How to involve stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation processes to increase inclusiveness of ECEC systems? (Peer Learning Activity Lithuania, 2023)

Making ECEC more inclusive through monitoring and evaluation of quality

Overview

Support Member States to further develop their teacher education systems to address shortages of teachers in Special Needs Education and competences of all education professionals to manage diversity in the classroom and develop inclusive education.

• Lead DG: EAC
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The European Education Area strategic framework Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training (2021-2025) is contributing to the implementation of the Council Recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching, and is supporting reforms to promote equality in education and training. The Working Group focuses both on inclusive education for all and on specific population groups’ equal access to quality education, including learners with special education needs and disabilities.

The Council Recommendations on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and  training and on improving the provision of digital skills and competences in education and training, adopted on 23 November 2023, call on Member States to develop or update national strategies or approaches for digital education and skills, including appropriate measures for ‘priority or hard-to-reach groups’. They also call for promoting inclusive education by safeguarding the accessibility of digital education content and technologies for learners and teachers with disabilities and providing specialised equipment and solutions for learners with special educational needs. The Commission will support Member States’ efforts towards digital inclusion, ensuring that all individuals and communities can contribute and benefit from the digital transformation.

The work on the future EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda is ongoing. It will focus on attracting and retaining teachers, thus the related working conditions and enabling factors such as access to professional development and diverse career paths. It will support Member States in addressing teacher shortages. All related strategies, such as the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, will be taken into account. 

More information

Some of the recent deliverables of the Working Group include:

2023 issue paper “Tackling different forms of discrimination in and through education and training” and 2024 policy brief on the same topic, 

2024 input paper on “Confronting hate speech in and through education”,

2024 input paper on (cyber)bullying,

2025 reflection paper “Special Educational Needs: the case of non-physical vulnerabilities”.

Overview

As a member of the Board of Governors of the European Schools, support increased efforts to implement the Action Plan Educational Support and Inclusive Education focusing on accessibility and reasonable accommodation, adaptation of their curricula to the needs of learners with disabilities (e.g. alternative leaving certificates allowing for continuation of education at national level) and on providing training courses for teachers in the area of inclusive education.

• Lead DG: HR
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The April 2025 Board of Governors approved: 

- the ‘Statistical Report on the provision of educational support and inclusive education in the European schools in the school year 2023-2024’ 

- the ‘Arrangements for Implementing the Regulations for the European Baccalaureate (Applicable for the Year 2026 European Baccalaureate session) which includes special arrangements for special educational needs. 

- the ‘Educational Support Assistants in the European Schools – Profile, job description and working conditions’ - revision of the legal status 

 The April 2025 Board of Governors took note that the creation of the category of Specialised Support Assistant, along with its corresponding salary framework, would be reconsidered in the context of a future revision of the Ancillary and Administrative Staff regulations. 

Under analyses by the Education Support Policy Education Working Group: 

- the document to introduce flexibility to the curriculum

- the document ‘Part-time schooling for pupils with special needs’ 

- the document on ‘Organisation of classes including ISA pupils’, despite its approval in the Board of Governors returned to the WG for improvement.

Overview

Address issues related to health and disability through the Steering Group on Promotion and Prevention (SGPP) for the sharing of validated health-related good practices to support Member States in their health reforms

• Lead DG: SANTE
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The study on Guidance to Increase Access to Healthcare for People with Disabilities including Information on Data on Cancer Prevention and Care has been completed and four main deliverables will be published by end 2025: 

• a comparative report and 29 country fiches mapping and analysing the main demand and supply-side barriers and bottlenecks in healthcare access for persons with disabilities
• a set of Guidelines on how to increase access and overcome healthcare barriers across different settings and considering the needs of different persons with disabilities.
• a primary survey of persons with disabilities and its accompanying report on access to cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
• a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to assess the economic value of implementing disability-inclusive healthcare measures, providing evidence also on the societal returns from such investments in inclusive healthcare.

Analytical elements feeding into the guidelines were presented in the Disability Forum on 19 June 2025. Seminars were organised under the action on applicability of guidelines and took place on 26 June and 1-2 July 2025.

Overview

Support stakeholders to address and alleviate the burden that the COVID-19 pandemic imposes on the mental health of European citizens.

• Lead DG: SANTE
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

An update of the tracking framework of the Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health is planned for 10 October 2025 on World Mental Health Day.

The next edition of the Country Health Profiles report prepared in the context of the State of Health in the EU by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, is planned for Publication later this year.

The EU Best Practice Portal 

includes a repository on best and promising practices on mental health with 29 new initiatives, which are publicly available for inspiration and transfer. 

Work under the European Mental Health Capacity Building initiative’. Through an EUR 11 million project with the World Health Organization is progressing:

• Policy dialogues with some Member States; high-level Paris conference (June 2025) with 33 countries.
• Surveys on mental health indicators and health workforce wellbeing in 29 countries completed.
• Launched WHO Course on Policy and Leadership in Mental Health.
• QualityRights training held in Lithuania, Slovenia, Croatia and will continue.
• Published roadmap on lived experience integration and youth digital mental health policy brief.
• WHO webinar series “Enough waiting” on mental health care launched.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences survey planned to be completed in December 2025
• Comprehensive policy report and MeND ((Mental Health of Nurses and Doctors) health workforce report due in 2025.
• Roadmap piloting and policy discussions on social media ban set for 2026.
• More webinars on mental health service waiting times planned.
• Under the EU PROMENS project, 420 participants have joined the exchange visits. 224 participants are in the pilot trainings.
• A toolkit on the new European blueprint on mental health is under development.

The EU support package to address stigma was developed with Member States and stakeholders, for the World Mental Health Day 2024. A communication campaign titled ‘In This Together’ was launched alongside the EU support package, it aimed to challenge mental health stigma and promote open, supportive conversations across Europe.

More information

EU-PROMENS Project Page - EU-PROMENS

Recognising the importance of mental health at work on World Mental Health Day - European Commission

inthistogether - Public Health - European Commission

Overview

Address specific inequalities for persons with disabilities in accessing cancer prevention, early detection and care through specific actions identified through the inequalities registry in the Europe’s beating cancer plan.

• Lead DG: SANTE
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The survey on access to cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment was opened from July to December 2024 and gathered views from 1,790 respondents with disabilities to investigate disparities in accessing cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical trials. The analysis of the results is part of the overall study on guidance for improving access to healthcare (see above under action 29) and will also feed the European Cancer Inequalities Registry, ultimately advancing the EU's commitment to equitable cancer care access for all citizens.

To support Member States in implementing Cancer Screening Recommendations, the Joint Action on cancer screening (EUCanScreen) works among other for addressing barriers and facilitators in cancer screening” focusing on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities (see Work package 6)

Overview

Launch a study evaluating the implementation of Article 30 of the UNCRPD to support Member States in policies to increase the participation of and support to persons with disabilities in sport, culture and leisure activities.

• Lead DG: EAC
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Creative Europe Programme provides opportunities for support to artists with disabilities. The objectives of the programme are pursued in a way that encourages inclusion, equality, diversity and participation, including, where appropriate, specific incentives that encourage the active participation in the cultural and creative sectors of people with disabilities, people belonging to minorities and people belonging to socially marginalised groups, including both the creative process and audience development; and gender equality, in particular as a driver of economic growth, innovation and creativity. The Creative Europe programme explicitly refers to the UNCRPD in its legal base and supports actions that works towards the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, both in the participation in the creative process and as part of the audience.  

Additionally, the programmefinancially supports projects such as Europe Beyond Access, the Perform Europe or the Culture Moves Europe mobility scheme, with special attention paid to applicants with disability.

Through the Sport actions of the Erasmus+ programme, the EU promotes access to sport for people with fewer opportunities, fosters social integration, and encourages equal opportunities regardless of background or ability. In 2025, 29 sport cross-border projects focusing on “Inclusion and Diversity” have been selected for funding, representing 9% of the total.

A new project was launched in May 2025 jointly with the Council of Europe “Sport for All: Promoting Inclusion and Combating Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities”. The project will run until 31 August 2026 and will look at ways to improve access to sport for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, with the aim of ensuring safe and inclusive participation

More information

Creative Europe - Culture and Creativity (europa.eu)

Europe Beyond Access - Disability Arts International

https://performeurope.eu

Culture Moves Europe - Culture and Creativity (europa.eu)

Overview

Partner with the International Paralympic Committee to foster inclusion in sport and combat stereotypes.

• Lead DG: EAC
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

In the framework of the Commission HealthyLifestyle4All initiative, the International Paralympic Committee has delivered the pledge to support different National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) in Europe with financial grants.  

The Mapping on Healthy Lifestyle report to the European Commission was published in 2023. It includes references to the activities related to Paralympics activities (Mapping on healthy lifestyles - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu), showcasing good practice examples.  

The EU Sport forum held in 2023 in Stockholm included the panel “All able, all included: participation in sport and society”, in which participated the Swedish Paralympic Committee.

More information

International Paralympic Committee pledge 

HealthyLifeStyel4All initiative 

WeThe15 

Overview

Further promote the development of accessible tourism notably by cities via the European Capital of Smart Tourism award.

• Lead DG: MOVE
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

Torino (Italy) was awarded the title of 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism. As part of the same competition, Benidorm (Spain) was awarded the title of Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism. While this second award, targeting smaller destinations, only covers achievements in sustainable tourism, practices related to accessible tourism are often taken into account, in view of a broad definition of sustainability; Benidorm is one example of this approach, offering best practices in the accessible use of beaches.  

All information can be found on the official page of the European Capitals of Smart Tourism, which also includes a list of good practices updated on an annual basis: Leading examples of Smart Tourism Practices in Europe (europa.eu).

The transition pathway for tourism (2022) also takes accessibility into account, as will the upcoming EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism.

A guide on EU funding for tourism was published (2021). 

Overview

Provide by 2024 guidance to Member States and practitioners, including police officers, on improving support for victims of violence who are persons with disabilities.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The new Judicial Training Strategy 2025-2030, having a strong focus on digitalisation, sets as an objective to build IT literacy of justice professionals ensuring respect for rights of victims and persons with disability, refers to the EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights (2020 – 2025) and calls for training addressing the application of non-discrimination legislation as well as the rights of persons with disabilities. The strategy calls for 15 specific actions to be performed by 2030 including action to ensure that national initial training curricula and continuing training offer for justice professionals address EU acquis in the fields of rights and procedural safeguards for suspects, accused and requested persons as well as victims of crime.

The European Commission supports relevant training projects under the annual calls for proposals on judicial training. Among projects awarded in 2025 (JUST-2025-JTRA) there is a project 101249231 “EU L@w For Notaries” addressing the protection of people with disabilities.

The European Judicial Training Network, key judicial training provider supported by the EC with the operating grant delivers regularly relevant training events. https://catalogue.ejtn.eu/ , in 2025 these are:

• Applying EU Anti-Discrimination Law CM/2025/109
• The Fundamental Rights of Vulnerable Persons HFR/2025/11

Related EJTN activities scheduled for 2026:

• Vulnerable people in the justice system: disabilities, elderly, mental health HFR/2026/11
• Criminal justice for victims of cybercrime: Focus on online child sexual abuse CR/2026/08, CR/2026/06
• Victims Rights in the EU in practice CR/2026/22

The Academy of European Law ERA delivers in 2025 following activities related to the rights of persons with disabilities:

• Applying EU Anti-Discrimination Law, 5 editions set in Dublin, Uppsala, Krakow, Tallin, Trier
• Annual Conference on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the EU 2025

By the end of 2025 the e-learning capsules on Victim protection will be published on the EU Academy portal and on the European Training Portal.

Overview

Ensure that the EU delegations play a more active role in supporting the implementation of the UNCRPD and fostering global ratification.

• Lead DG: INTPA, EEAS, MENA, ENEST, ECHO
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission (DG ENEST, DG INTPA and DG MENA) offers regular training for its staff on inclusive human rights-based approaches and disability inclusion. Training materials, videos, and eLearning tools are accessible across various platforms. Regular webinars have been organized with focal points on diversity and disability inclusion in different areas (gender, climate action, social protection, accessibility and universal design). Technical briefs on disability in social protection (2024) and accessibility and universal design (2025) have been prepared to complement the sector briefs package. Various HRBA and Gender training sessions, incorporating a disability perspective, were held in EU delegations in countries such as Chile, Malawi, Madagascar, Colombia, DRC, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Guinea Conakry and Jordan in 2024 and 2025.

An e-learning tool for humanitarian partners and staff in humanitarian context was made available in June 2023 (the practical implementation of the 2019 Operational Guidance on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in EU-funded Humanitarian Aid Operations). Questions linked to disability inclusion were also raised during a recent series on trainings on intersectionality (May 2024). Regular exchanges with strategic humanitarian partners continued stressing the importance of mainstreaming disability inclusion in humanitarian action. European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) continued raising awareness about the needs of persons with disabilities in emergency situations for instance through conferences (Humanitarian Talk on Disability Inclusion in Humanitarian Action during the recent European Humanitarian Forum (March 2024), trainings and dedicated meetings. In the new (2023) guidance note on Promoting Equitable Partnerships with Local Responders in Humanitarian Settings, DG ECHO of the Commission has stressed the need to work specifically with local Organisations of Persons with Disabilities. 

The rights of persons with disabilities were raised in political, human rights and trade dialogues with third countries in the external policies covering also humanitarian action and cooperation with multinational organisations. 

In the context of the EU Enlargement and Middle-East, North Africa and Gulf policies, key areas of concern addressed included implementation of the UN CRPD, de-institutionalisation and independent living, accessibility and reasonable accommodation, social assistance schemes and civil society consultations. In the framework of the EU Enlargement policy, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are part of the so called ‘Fundamentals’ cluster, which is at the core of the accession process. Reforms in the field of fundamental rights must be undertaken as a matter of priority. Progress in this cluster determines the overall pace of negotiations.

At the end of 2023, The Commission expanded its network of disability focal points (DFP) in EU Delegations by nominating DFPs in Delegations under the remit of then DG NEAR, aiming to maximise the impact of EU’s work with partner countries.

Overview

Systematically use the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) disability marker to track disability inclusive investments for a targeted monitoring of EU funding.

• Lead DG: INTPA, EEAS, MENA, ENEST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission continued tracking its external programmes using the OECD disability marker. 

In 2024, 56% of new actions in the area of international partnerships (Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia, and Pacific) were disability inclusive to varying extents, while in 2023 the same figure was 41%. More than 76% of new EU-funded projects in enlargement and neighbourhood regions were disability inclusive, up from 26% in 2022.  Collectively, for Commission new official development assistance (ODA) programmes funded by the development cooperation instrument NDICI, 46% mainstreamed disability to some extent, whereas in 2023 the proportion was 28%.

As for DG ECHO, in the area of humanitarian aid, in 2024, about 50% of the funded projects took into consideration and mainstreamed the needs of persons with disabilities among other beneficiaries, and 8% of the funded projects specifically targeted at persons with disabilities. 

Overview

Provide technical assistance together with Member States to partner countries’ administrations through their programmes and facilities.

• Lead DG: INTPA, MENA, ENEST
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

The EU-funded SOCIEUX+ facility facilitates technical cooperation among public and social partner peers with the aim of enhancing access to quality employment opportunities and inclusive social protection systems. Over the past decade, the facility has delivered disability-specific assistance in more than 17 countries across various regions. In 2024, initiatives in Kosovo focusing on the disability sector and assessment were concluded, as were programs addressing the labor and employment rights of persons with disabilities in Panama and Peru. Assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia is ongoing.

TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) is an essential EU tool for global institutional capacity-building, offering focused and swift support to public administrations in EU candidate countries and beyond. Since 2021, it has organized 15 visits and workshops related to disability, including six in 2024. Notably, these include a workshop in Warsaw for Turkey, focusing on best practices for railway passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility, and another in Milan for participants from MENA countries, aimed at supporting the employment of persons with disabilities.

More information

SOCIEUX+. EU expertise on social protection, labour and employment http://socieux.eu/

TAIEX (europa.eu)

https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-technical-assistance/taiex_en

Overview

Ensure the coherent inclusion and assessment of disability matters in impact assessments and evaluations where relevant, including through training of staff preparing initiatives on the UNCRPD.

• Lead DG: SG
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

The SG, with the support of DG EMPL prepared a 2-pager on disability mainstreaming which was circulated with the equality coordinators of the Task Force on Equality on 6 July 2023, and which has been incorporated in the Equality Mainstreaming Toolbox (Tool #11). The document intends to provide Commission colleagues who are not familiar with disability mainstreaming with basic tips and practical help on the matter.

Moreover, an online training session on disability mainstreaming was organised for colleagues on 11 April 2024, available through EU-learn.

Overview

Call on all EU institutions and bodies, agencies and delegations to designate disability coordinators for their institutions and for their disability strategies.

• Lead DG: All DGs
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Council Conclusions on the Strategy, adopted on 14 June 2021, invite Member States to further promote the coordination of the UNCRPD National Focal Point with other ministries including by establishing contact points for disability matters in ministries and public bodies and to cooperate with relevant European Commission services in accordance with the Strategy.

The European Parliament Resolution of 7 October 2021 on the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions acknowledges the Commission’s call for all EU institutions, bodies, agencies and delegations to designate ‘disability coordinators’ and reiterates its call for focal points to be established in all EU institutions and agencies, including Parliament and the Council.

In the Commission, disability coordinators have been nominated in all Directorate-Generals of the Commission and an inter-service group coordinates the implementation of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities within the Commission. 34 EU agencies (out of 48) have also designated their disability coordinators.

More information

Draft Council Conclusions on the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with 

European Parliament Resolution TA-9-2021-0414 (7 October 2021)

Overview

Organise regular high-level meetings between the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the EEAS, involving representative organisations of persons with disabilities.

• Lead DG: SG/ JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The annual European Day for Persons with Disabilities conference is held each year around the date of the International Day of persons with Disabilities (3/12). It gathers organisations of persons with disabilities and high-level EU institution representatives. In 2025, the conference is taking place on 4-5 December. 

The third Global Disability Summit (GDS) was co-hosted by Germany, Jordan and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) in Berlin on 2-3 April 2025. The Summit was an opportunity to showcase the Commission's continuous commitment to the CRPD in its external actions (cf. 2025 CRPD Committee review recommendations), resulting in the Commission’s support for the “15 by 15” initiative - an aspiration for 15% of ODA programmes to reach persons with disabilities, who represent 15% of the population, by 2028. From the EU side, Commissioner Lahbib participated. 

Various Human Rights Dialogues between the EU and third countries dedicated a part of the meeting to the situation of persons with disabilities and disability policies in both the EU and these countries. 

More information

European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 - European Commission

Overview

Arrangement of an annual exchange of views with the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission continues to participate in meetings organised by the European Economic and Social Comittee (EESC) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on matters related to disability actions including those  on the UNCRPD and the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

There were several opinions on disability initiates prepared by the EESC, including in 2025, the Future of the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities post-2025 (ref.

SOC/830-EESC-2025)

More information

Disability | EESC (europa.eu)

Overview

Flagship initiative 6: The Commission will in 2021 establish the Disability Platform. It will replace the existing High Level Group on Disability and support the implementation of this Strategy as well as national disability strategies. It will bring together national UNCRPD focal points, organisations of persons with disabilities and the Commission. The Platform could be used as a forum to exchange on the UN’s assessments of Member States’ implementation of the UNCRPD. The online presence of the Disability Platform will contain information on its meetings, activities, analysis, and country information, including promotion of accessible and inclusive good practices.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission Expert Group ‘Disability Platform’ was created in October 2021. The Platform meets three times per year.

Once a year, a thematic event on a horizontal topic in line with the UNCRPD is co-organized with the country holding the presidency of the Council of the EU, in the margins of the Disability platform.

On 28 March 2025, the Polish presidency co-organized with the European Commission a Disability Conference ‘Raising awareness of the potential of persons with disabilities in various areas of social life and professional activities’.

In 2024, 3 sub-groups specifically dedicated to flagship initiatives of the Disability strategy are operational within the Disability platform and are regularly meeting (Employment package, Independent living and Social services framework).

The agendas and minutes of the meetings are published on the Commission website. 

More information

Commission Expert Group 'Disability Platform'

Overview

Establish a dialogue on disability with existing networks of local and regional authorities (e.g. Eurocities, Council of European municipalities and regions).

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission provides financial support to Eurocities and participate in their meetings and events; and continues to work with POLIS, including within the Commission expert group set up to develop guidance on the accessibility of electrical charging points; and with the Sustainable Transport Forum.

The Commission has continued organizing the Access City Award, to reward EU cities that are making outstanding efforts to become accessible for persons with disabilities. During its 14 years, 85 EU cities have been awarded. In this context, there have been contacts with e.g., the Committee of the Regions, Eurocities, the Council of the European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Polis and ENAT that helped to promote the award.

In 2018, the Access City Award, the Access City Award Network (ACAN) was created to provide the winners of the award with a network where they could showcase best practices regarding accessibility. As part of the ACAN activities, on-site meetings in Lyon, in 2018, and Breda, in 2019, were held to further develop a community of exchange and practice between city representatives.

For the ACA 2022 competition, a Facebook Room mixer event was held to facilitate the introduction of the ACA 2021 winner cities to the network.

On 29 May 2024, Commissioner Dalli hosted a roundtable in Brussels with several of the 1st place winner cities of ACA, along with Commissioner Ferreira, Cabinet Simson, the Belgian, Hungarian and Polish Presidency, representative organisations of persons with disabilities, and different organisations of municipalities and regions, as the Committee of the Regions and Eurocities. The aim was to exchange good practices and reflect on the pending challenges on local accessibility and to make the best out of the Access City Award and its network. 

The cities of San Cristóbal de la Laguna (Spain) and Łódź (Poland), as 1st and 2nd prize winners of ACA 2024 participated in the New European Bauhaus Festival (9-13 April 2024). They were also selected, along with Saint-Quentin (France), as 3rd place winner of ACA 2024, as champion cities of the 2024-2025 CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Programme of Eurocities, funded by the Commission, in which they will match with other cities that required assistance with their accessibility solutions.

ACA winner cities participated as speakers, along with other local authorities, in the AccessibleEU event: Smart Cities: Enhancing Urban Design and Mobility for All (2 July 2024).

The annual European Day of Persons with Disabilities Conference counts with the participation of different local and regional authorities, and networks. In 2024, one of the panels was focused on accessibility of cities, in line with the 15^th anniversary of the Access City Award.

Overview

Ensure the continuous removal and prevention of barriers by all services for staff and public with disabilities (e.g. accessible ICT equipment and tools for online meetings).

• Lead DG: HR, DIGIT, SCIC
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission is continuing to take specific actions to implement its key commitments on accessibility including web accessibility, audiovisual communications and graphic design services, publications, events, buildings and venues, awareness raising for all staff, managers and HR professionals and other specific groups. 

Commission has prepared supporting guides with tips for inclusive meetings, trainings and conferences.

DG Interpretation (SCIC) Conference Services Unit is in contact with DIGIT regarding the accessibility of EU Login. The aim is to identify what can be improved when it comes to the accessibility and usability of EU Login. 

Commission will have a new Conference Centre, accessibility is a core priority in the design and operation of the new building. SCIC contributed with suggestions on the design and facilities to make sure that participants and staff can access and navigate the different spaces safely and comfortably. 

Finally, SCIC contributed to the preparation of a video of DG REGIO on how to organise inclusive events.

In addition, DG Interpretation (SCIC) developed an application providing real-time transcription and translation of meetings, which can be displayed on participants laptop or tablet, or as close captions in a meeting room if they are properly fitted. The AI models powering this application are also to display real-time closed captions for the videos on the Commission’s webstreaming portal. 

In addition, SCIC developed e-Loqui – a speech synthesis portal that can convert text to speech.  The text-to-speech portal allows the creation of accessible, multilingual content in the Commission and can be used to create voice-overs, for example for e-learning content. 

DG Interpretation (SCIC) continues to offer multilingual live closed-captions to web-streamed meetings and events organised in Commission conference rooms. This enhances accessibility for meetings in all languages available in each event.

Within DIGIT, the UX Office conducts accessibility assessments and usability analyses, providing practical recommendations to improve inclusiveness for colleagues and external users. It delivers training and technical guidance, in collaboration with DG HR, aligned with web accessibility standards (EN 301 549, WCAG) and corporate solution needs, and contributes to the Accessibility Task Force led by DG COMM. Through evaluations, guidance, tools, and community activities, the UX Office fosters a sustained culture of accessibility across the Commission, embedding accessibility in the Digital Solutions Management Framework (DSMF) to ensure it is addressed across the solution lifecycle.

In DIGIT, the EU Login Mobile App variants have all been refreshed with improved accessibility in mind. 

Upcoming releases for 2025 and beyond are pro-actively deliver accessibility improvements. 

The UX for the entire EU Login ecosystem is under active review. This review focuses amongst other on improving the accessibility aspects of the interfaces. 

By mid 2026 the UX of other operational services in the IAM domain will also be reviewed to prioritise future accessibility improvements.

Overview

Strengthen reporting by the management of all Commission services on diversity, including reasonable accommodation for staff with disabilities. 

• Lead DG: All DGs
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

An ad-hoc multi-service group (OIB, DIGIT, HR) continues to meet regularly to discuss reasonable accommodation for specific cases of staff members with disabilities and share relevant information or updates that can be useful to all concerned colleagues.

There is a simplified workflow for reasonable accommodation  where persons with disabilities can autonomously request what they need. 

A dedicated page on reasonable accommodation will be made available soon on the new Staff Centre portal and an updated, streamlined and simplified guidelines to the attention of  Commission staff is in its final stage and will be published in a near future

The aim is to keep simplifying the access to the procedures and to secure access to the information.

Overview

Adopt, in 2021, an Action Plan on web accessibility, to be shared and promoted in all EU institutions,  bodies and agencies in view of ensuring compliance of EU websites, documents published on these websites and online platforms, with European accessibility standards.

• Lead DG: COMM
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

A Task Force on Web Accessibility established mid-2021 to pool expertise and inform and guide the implementation of the Action Plan on Web Accessibility which was adopted in September 2022. The purpose of this multiannual action plan is to: 

• ensure that the European Commission’s web presence (including websites, mobile apps and social media content, both external and internal) is accessible to persons with disabilities;
• support all Commission services in achieving that goal; and
• encourage the exchange and harmonisation of practices across all EU institutions and bodies to aim at compliance of the whole Europa domain with the applicable standards. 

Overview

Improve by 2023 accessibility across its audiovisual communications and graphic design services as well as of its publications and events, including where relevant sign language interpretation and documents in ‘easy-to-read’ format.

• Lead DG: COMM/ OP
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

In 2025, the Audiovisual Service implemented AI-generated subtitles for videos from live transmissions and revamped the Audiovisual Portal, with a strong focus on enhancing user experience, ensuring accessibility, and adopting a mobile-first approach.  

Overview

Ensure accessibility for all newly occupied buildings of the Commission, subject to possible urban planning requirements  of the host countries.

• Lead DG: OIB/ all DGs
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission has continuously been improving the accessibility of its buildings. Recent buildings occupied by the Commission (MO34, T211 and CO46) in Brussels were designed and built by a private owner and comply with local legislation including rules on accessibility. Concerning Commission Representations, all buildings occupied in 2023 and 2024 (Paris, Bonn, Warsaw, Prague, and Stockholm by the end of 2024) comply with European  accessibility standards.

Overview

Ensure the accessibility of venues where Commission events are organised.

• Lead DG: OIB/ SCIC/  all DGs
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

For events organised in EU Member States, accessibility is guaranteed at Representations. Outside of EU Representations, DGT takes accessibility into account when organising Commission events at other premises.

OIB ensures logistical support to the DG in charge of event organization and improves the accessibility of buildings that host various events, such as CHAR, MARD, and BREY.

At the beginning of 2024, DG SCIC signed the new Framework Contract (SCIC/2023/OP/0003). Its purpose is to make sure that the conference services who offer their services to the Commission Directorates General respect the accessibility standards in venues outside the EU premises.

Overview

Organise an annual dialogue between the EU Focal Point at the Commission and the EU Framework.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission continues to meet with the EU Framework on annual basis and discussing priorities. Discussions took place around the UNCRPD report of the EU and the related dialogue and the Concluding Observations will be also addressed.

Overview

1. Develop and publish, in 2021, a monitoring framework for the objectives and actions of this strategy.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Completed

Progress to date (2025)

 A webpage including this monitoring table of the actions of the Strategy is published and updated every year since May 2022. 

More information

Monitoring framework - European Commission

Overview

Develop, at the latest by 2023, new disability indicators with a clear roadmap for implementation. These should include indicators for children and the situation of persons with disabilities in employment, education, social protection, poverty and social exclusion, living conditions, health, use of new communication technologies, supporting the indicators for the EU Social Scoreboard, the European Semester Sustainable Development Goals.

• Lead DG: ESTAT
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

 Data for indicators for children and the situation of persons with disabilities in employment, education, social protection, poverty and social exclusion, living conditions, health, use of new communication technologies is available in the Eurostat database.

More information

Database - disability

Overview - disability

Overview

Prepare a report in 2024 of this Strategy assessing the progress of its implementation and, if deemed necessary, update its objectives and actions.

• Lead DG: JUST
• Status: Ongoing

Progress to date (2025)

The Commission will prepare the report on progress on the implementation of the Strategy in Q2 of 2026. Information on progress on the implementation of the Strategy reported in this monitoring framework will feed into the preparation of the report.