1. Towards full participation of ageing persons with disabilities
Protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in
Europe: towards full participation, inclusion and empowerment
Towards full participation of
ageing persons with disabilities
Workshop 3: Ageing and Disability
Council of Europe Sweden
28-30 October 2008
Isabel Cottinelli Telmo
European Disability Forum

2. “across Europe, about 15 million elderly will acquire
Ageing is one of the humanity greatest conquests
Are we prepared to face the challenge
it represents?
“across Europe, about 15 million elderly will acquire
some form of disability
while about 10 million people with a disability will
become elderly” (Spooren, J.,2007)

3. the problems resulting from getting old
Ageing people with disabilities face the problems resulting from their handicap
and
the problems resulting from getting old
People with high complex dependency needs and problems of communication have a double vulnerability

4. Rights of Persons with Disabilities
UN Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Council of Europe Disability Action Plan
European Union Disability Strategy
Purpose of the UN Convention
“to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with
disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity”
including those who face more ”barriers that may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”

5. Council of Europe Disability Action Plan
recognizes that
“The progressive ageing of people with disabilities,
particularly those requiring more intensive support due
to the nature of their impairment, presents new
challenges for societies across Europe”
and requires innovative approaches to meet these
challenges across a wide range of services and areas
“one of the more vulnerable groups of people with
disabilities is the group of people who, due to the
severity and complexity of their disability, are in need of
a high level of support. Their quality of life is very much
dependent on the availability of appropriate quality
services and specific, often intensive support”

6. Rights in the Convention
Right to effective access to justice for persons with
disabilities on an equal basis with others
(UN Convention article 13)
Right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law
(articles 5,12)
promote appropriate training for those working in the field of
administration of justice, including police and prison staff
Right to freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse
(article16)
Right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment (article15)

7. Rights in the Convention
Right to have a provision for accurate diagnosis and accurate
information on the specific health condition
“…including early identification and intervention as appropriate, and
services designed to minimize and prevent further disabilities, including
among children and older persons” (article 25 b)
Right to have an accurate assessment of their individual
needs and forward planning as well as availability of required
services
(Council of Europe Action Plan)

8. To improve accessibility on communication and social
UN Convention recognizes the importance of full and
effective participation and inclusion in society as
a general principle (article 3) a general obligation (article 4)
Programmes tailored to individual needs and strenghts
To improve accessibility on communication and social
interaction (articles 9,19, 21, 29)
To implement or adapt services (article 26)
To provide for housing facilities (articles 19, 28)
To train professional staff (CoE Action Plan)
To foster cultural and leisure activities (article 30)
To provide for a realistic and adequate financial support
(article 28)

9. Planning and coordination across relevant
authorities, government agencies and service
providers are needed to adequately address the specific problems of ageing people with disabilities
At national level
the Convention expressly stipulates that “civil society, in particular
persons with disabilities and their representative organizations
shall be involved and participate fully in the monitoring process”
(UN Convention article 33. 3)
At international level
States Parties are invited to give due consideration to consulting with
and actively involving persons with disabilities through
their representative organizations
(UN Convention articles 34.3 and 4.3)

10. European Disability Forum
EDF is an umbrella organisation with full members in 27 EU countries, Norway, Iceland & 43 European organisations from all main disabilities and chronic illnesses
Persons with disabilities & families organised in national and European federations as leaders
Bringing the unified voice of disabled people in Europe
Fighting for equal opportunities & human rights across the EU agenda
Making sure that no decisions affecting disabled people are taken without them

11. Making human rights a reality
EDF has together with its members invited European Countries to sign and ratify the UN Convention, through letters, meetings, seminars, press conferences, events
EDF members joining official delegations in signing ceremony
Translations made by EDF members
Guidance documents and seminars on key provisions
EDF played an important and active role in the elaboration of the Council of Europe Disability Action Plan
Informing the disability movement on the CoE action plan
In active dialogue with the EU fundamental rights agency

12. And what is our role as a participant citizen in the world?
Without our active participation in the process, whether in the government, in our employments, or wherever we live and work, the implementation of UN Convention and all other legal documents will not be possible
Our contribution to the awareness of the urgency of full inclusion of ageing people with disabilities and their right to empowerment is the only way to reach their full participation in schools, in community organizations and in politics and public life