Phil Bennion
Lib Dem Euro MP Phil Bennion has backed a call in the European Parliament for the introduction of a European Mobility Card for Persons with Disabilities.
He has signed a Written Declaration calling for the reduction of barriers to the freedom of movement of persons with disabilities by adopting a European Mobility Card. Around one in six people in the EU is affected by disability and calls are growing for the introduction of a European Mobility Card to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are properly respected when abroad.
Phil Bennion said: “A new card for disabled travellers could greatly improve their independence.
“In the UK in order to help disabled people go about their daily lives, people with disabilities are allowed certain benefits, such as the blue parking badge.
“However, it is not always clear as to what rights and benefits also apply in other European countries, which could put people off travelling.
“The freedom for everyone to travel and work anywhere in the EU is fundamental and a European mobility card could make this much easier”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
European Parliament Written Declarations, similar to early day motions in Westminster, need 369 signatures from MEPs to be adopted.
0008/2013 Written declaration, under Rule 123 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, on a European card for persons with disabilities:
1. One in six people in the EU is affected by disability. These persons are entitled to fully benefit from all of the rights enjoyed by EU citizens, in particular the right to freedom of choice with regard to travel and the place of study and work. These rights of persons with disabilities are also recognised by Article 26 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which states that persons with disabilities should ‘benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence, social and occupational integration and participation in the life of the community’;
2. In their countries of residence, persons with disabilities enjoy certain special rights which aim to facilitate their mobility and accessibility. Nevertheless, as there is no common document recognising a person with disabilities at EU level, those benefits are not always available in other EU Members States:
3. In its resolution of 25 October 2011, Parliament called for the reduction of barriers to the freedom of movement of people with disabilities, via the adoption of a European mobility card;
4. The Commission is hence called upon to raise awareness and to promote the concept of a European card for persons with disabilities;
5. This declaration, together with the names of the signatories, is forwarded to the Council and the Commission.
