Today, three young adults with spina bifida and hydrocephalus are representing IF at the celebration of the European Day of Persons with Disabilities in Brussels.

Persons with disabilities, and especially young persons with disabilities, have the right to fully participate in society, and in equal terms with others. This right is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which the EU is a party, together with its member states.

Making this right a reality, by removing existing barriers, is the main purpose of the European Union long-term strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities, representative organisations of persons with disabilities, EU policymakers, service providers, think tanks, trade unions and employers will participate in each of the panels.

All will share their experiences and actions in the key areas of employment and accessibility and discuss the challenges for the future.Why employment and accessibility? Job creation is a top priority for the European Commission. Having a job is the best guarantee for human dignity, self-esteem, financial independence and prosperity.

Accessibility is key to ensuring full participation in society; it helps removing obstacles that people with disabilities still face in their daily lives. This conference will show that persons with disabilities can do the same things as everybody else, provided they are given the means to do so.

You can follow the conference via a stream on the European Commission website here.