Union of equality: Strategy on the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 (easy-to-read version)

The European Union is a group of 27 countries in Europe. These countries came together to make things better, easier and safer for people.

The European Commission is the body of the European Union that runs its day-to-day work. It takes actions and suggests laws for the European Union.

The European Commission also takes actions to protect the rights of people with disabilities. In March 2021, the European Commission put out a new European strategy on the rights of people with disabilities for 2021-2030. In short, we call it ‘the European Disability Strategy’.

The European Disability Strategy is a plan that says how the European Union will work to protect the rights of people with disabilities in the next 10 years.

With this plan, the European Commission wants to make sure that all people with disabilities can enjoy their rights and have the same chances in life as everyone else.

To make this happen, in the next 10 years the European Commission will work to make sure that all people with disabilities can:

• Move and live freely in any country of the European Union.

• Get the right support to be able to have a good life.

• Live independently. They should not live in institutions away from their families and friends.

• Be part of the community together with other people.

• Make their own decisions about their lives. For example, they have the right to decide where, how and with whom they want to live.

• Have the same chances to study and work as all other people.

• Have access to health care and other important things and services.

• Are treated in a fair way and with respect. They should not be left out or be treated badly because they have a disability.