The impact of the ongoing economic crisis on the lives of

people with SCI in EuropeLucignano 23 – 25 May 2012

THE ECONOMIC CRISIS, WELFARE

AND GLOBALISATION

Donata Vivanti Vice Chair EDF

Summary

• Who we are

• Our mission• The EU context: opportunities and challenges• The impact of the economic crisis and of

austerity measures on people with disabilities in the EU

• The EDF Observatory on the crisis • The way forward

WHO WE ARE

• Umbrella organisation

• full members from 30 European countries

• 43 European organisations from all main disabilities and chronic illnesses

• Leaded by persons with disabilities & parents representing persons with disabilities and intense support needs

Facts and figures on disability in the EU

• People with disabilities = 80 million people in the European Union (more than 15% of the population)

• one in four Europeans has a family member with a disability

• people with reduced mobility represent more than 40% of the population

Facts and figures on disability in the EU

People with disabilities:

• two - three times more unemployed than non-disabled people

• the more severe the degree of disability, the lower the participation in the labour force (20% of people with severe disabilities have a job)

• > 50% less likely to reach third level education

• 38% aged 16 - 34 have earned income, compared to 64% of non-disabled people

• Income dramatically lower

EU context: the opportunities

• Social inclusion one of the three pillars of the European Union “Europe 2020” strategy

• The ratification of the UNCRPD calls for: – a rights-based approach to disability – the implementation of the rights of persons

with disabilities – inclusiveness of society

EU context: the challenges

• Demographic changes• New segments of the population have

become vulnerable: – Rising number of persons with disabilities,

especially with intense support needs• Economic downturn:

– persons with disabilities facing worsening living conditions

Impact of the economic crisis in the EU

• > 5 million people have lost their jobs

• 10% increase unemployment rates of some EU countries

• 80 million people in Europe exposed to the risk of poverty

• the Europe 2020 targets will BE impossible to achieve without the contribution of EU citizens with disabilities (16% of the EU population)

Impact of the economic crisis on persons with disabilties

• Persons with disabilities:– more likely than others to suffer from the effects of

the crisis: (unemployment, poverty)– objects of negative attitudes: perceived as

generators of costs rather than as equal citizens– cuts to social policy budgets

• Contradictory approach of the EC

– Wishes the EU to be a model of inclusiveness

– Recommends austerity measures

– Has not taken concrete actions to protect persons with disabilities from the impact of the crisis

Effects of austerity measures on persons with disabilities

• Budget cuts to social policies have exacerbated the marginalization of an increasing number of persons with disabilities

(Yannis Vardakastanis

President European Disability Forum)

Impact of austerity measures on persons with disabilities

Budget cuts to social policies hinder persons with disabilities rights to leave independently and participate in society

• Reducing quantity and quality of support and services to persons with disabilities

• at the moment when they need them most

• Increasing – Poverty– Illiteracy– Social exclusion– Discrimination

EDF OBSERVATORY OF THE CRISIS

• 5 questions surveyhttp://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=28111 • help EDF understand

– which the main challenges are– where there are main challenges

• help reporting to the European Institutions • make the EU react to:• damage to or regression on the rights of

persons with disabilities,• negative portrayal of the persons with

disabilities

EASPD SURVEY: IMPACT OF THE CRISIS ON SERVICES

• Long-term disability strategies• Annual disability plans and programmes• Operational programmes

• Significant reductions in public budget for social services at local/regional level (up to - 80% 2011 vs. 2010)

EASPD SURVEY: IMPACT OF THE CRISIS

EASPD SURVEY: IMPACT OF THE CRISIS/SECTOR

EASPD SURVEY: IMPACT OF THE AUSTERITY MESASURES ON SERVICES

EU context: the way forward

• Investing in the value of EU citizens, starting from the most vulnerable ones

• Recognising Social Justice as the pre-condition of future prosperity

• Recognising the contribution made by its citizens with disabilities as a labour force, as customers and as rights holders

• Implementing the UN CRPD by ensuring an adequate standard of living to persons with disabilities;

• Implementing the EU 2020 strategy including the third pillar social inclusion

EU context: the way forward

• Developing innovative sustainable services promoting independent living and life in the community for all persons with disabilities

• supporting persons with disabilities and their families to ensure their participation in society

• developing and modernising accessible infrastructure, transport, goods and services to increase employment and participation of persons with disabilities

• undertaking all the necessary initiatives, policies and actions to protect persons with disabilities from new forms of exclusion, poverty and discrimination that the crisis brings about

EU context: the way forward

• Moving towards universal accessibility and quality of Social Services of General Interest

• Maximising the impact of the EU funding programmes (ESF, FP7, PROGRESS…):– ensuring the participation of representative DPOs in all

phases and level of operational planning and allocation of EU funds

– targeting the EU funds:• to the implementation of the UNCRPD• to the empowerment of persons with disabilities • to the development of innovative, inclusive

support services

High Level Meeting on Disability 12.2011

The crisis shouldn’tPrevent us fromadvancing in the

implementation of the UNCRPD

José Manuel Barroso President of the EU Commission