General Enquiries 03455 211 811
Support Helpline 03455 211 300
Fundraising 03455 211 600

Latest news

European Accessibility Act is Under Threat

Millions of people in Europe with disabilities are still excluded from using basic products and services that are taken for granted by others such as withdrawing money from an ATM, entering a bank, a school, a university or any public building, using the underground etc. Europe needs a strong and ambitious European Accessibility Act but currently it's under threat!

European Accessibility Act

Proposed back in 2015, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) hoped to enhance the rights and reduce discrimination across Europe for those living with disabilities in all areas of life; from travel and healthcare to banking and product pricing. Since then much of the proposed Act has been under negotiation with compromises sought on issues such as the built environment, public procurement, transport or the definition of "persons with functional limitations".

Currently proposed amendments water down the Act to the extent that it becomes meaningless.

With the European Accessibility Act under threat we’d like you to join the International Federation of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in engaging your MEP’s, asking them to support the rights of persons with disabilities by substantially amending the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament's (IMCO) report in the plenary in June and promote a strong and ambitious Accessibility Act.

The final plenary European Parliament vote is scheduled for mid-June so we need to take action now!

Why is the European Accessibility Act relevant to persons with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus (SBH)?

  • It will enhance their right to independent living as they will be able to manage themselves further in aspects of life such as banking, e-commerce and other services.
  • Thanks to increased cross border trade and mobility, persons with SBH will be able to profit from a more competitive price of products and services
  • more products and services will be accessible and therefore easier to use in the areas of ICT, transport, banking and retail
  • accessibility of transport (infrastructure, ticketing machines, booking processes, information etc) will be improved (if transport stays as part of the EAA), which will enhance the possibility for persons with SBH to travel.
  • accessible transport and therefore increased mobility will improve the participation of persons with SBH in education, labour market and society in general
  • the EAA will provide a framework for accessibility requirements which can serve as a point of reference for persons with SBH when they travel to other countries and want to use services or products there
  • EAA will reduce discrimination of persons with disabilities including persons with SBH in the internal market by providing (certain) accessible products and services

What can you do?

  • Spread the message on your social media channels using the hashtag: #AccessibilityAct
  • Say why accessibility is important for you?
  • Post pictures of inaccessible situations to illustrate what the problems are, curbs, buses, atm machines etc
  • Tag in your MEPs and other government officials.

Want more information?

For even more information please visit IFSBH’s website or visit the European Disability Forum

Share this post on …

Comments: 0 (Add)

Support us

Because of you we provide a lifetime commitment of support. Please continue to support us or donate today. Thank you.

Make a donation

Our latest news

Hospital Saturday Fund donate £14,000 to SBH Scotland
Hospital Saturday Fund donate £14,000 to SBH Scotland25 Scottish charities received donations in February

Brave Mum's Prove Sky's the Limit for Charity Supporting their Children
“If my son can overcome brain surgeries and daily headaches then I knew I could jump out the sky for 5 minutes to raise awareness and money for a good cause.”

Local family announces the return of their sparkling fundraiser to raise vital funds for SBH Scotland
Time to get tickets for a sparkling dinner in the North!

More news
Follow @SBHScotland on Twitter

SBH Scotland on Facebook

Our newsletter

We’d like to keep you up-to-date with information on our charity.

Sign up here for our newsletters.

* indicates required

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at communications@sbhscotland.org.uk. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Loading