This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2016/mar/11/brexit-could-undermine-the-rights-of-disabled-people

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brexit could undermine the rights of disabled people Brexit could undermine the rights of disabled people
(6 months later)
The EU referendum campaign so far has been more about politicians than about people. But what about the impact of leaving the EU for Britain’s 10 million people with disabilities?The EU referendum campaign so far has been more about politicians than about people. But what about the impact of leaving the EU for Britain’s 10 million people with disabilities?
I am an MEP for the East of England, and have been since 1994. But before going into politics I was a disability rights activity – and, as chair of the European parliament all-party disability rights group, I still am.I am an MEP for the East of England, and have been since 1994. But before going into politics I was a disability rights activity – and, as chair of the European parliament all-party disability rights group, I still am.
I was first inspired to stand for the European parliament by a project where British and Dutch deaf people came together in a room for the first time. At first, differences in sign language meant they couldn’t communicate. But within 15 minutes they had spontaneously found a way of doing so – very effectively.I was first inspired to stand for the European parliament by a project where British and Dutch deaf people came together in a room for the first time. At first, differences in sign language meant they couldn’t communicate. But within 15 minutes they had spontaneously found a way of doing so – very effectively.
Related: Volunteering in Greece showed me how vital social work is in this refugee crisis
It taught me about pulling barriers down, and how people benefit by doing so. People with disabilities will always campaign to pull down barriers, not erect new ones. In all the talk of “free movement” in Europe, what about the right of a British wheelchair user to take a holiday or visit abroad?It taught me about pulling barriers down, and how people benefit by doing so. People with disabilities will always campaign to pull down barriers, not erect new ones. In all the talk of “free movement” in Europe, what about the right of a British wheelchair user to take a holiday or visit abroad?
Discrimination doesn’t stop at borders. Europe’s non-discrimination law for people with disabilities is one of a string of EU actions that have brought tangible benefits for those who live with a disability in Britain.Discrimination doesn’t stop at borders. Europe’s non-discrimination law for people with disabilities is one of a string of EU actions that have brought tangible benefits for those who live with a disability in Britain.
Europe now has access requirements for lifts in public buildings, the web and all major transport modes. A European-wide general accessibility act that could further transform the lives of millions of people has also been proposed. Last year, 87,000 British disabled people were helped towards employment by European social funding. And a legal exemption to allow public authorities to directly contract to social enterprises has helped disabled people create jobs for themselves. A group of blind people producing and selling animal bedding in Norwich and people with Asperger’s running a business repairing and recycling computers are two examples from my constituency.Europe now has access requirements for lifts in public buildings, the web and all major transport modes. A European-wide general accessibility act that could further transform the lives of millions of people has also been proposed. Last year, 87,000 British disabled people were helped towards employment by European social funding. And a legal exemption to allow public authorities to directly contract to social enterprises has helped disabled people create jobs for themselves. A group of blind people producing and selling animal bedding in Norwich and people with Asperger’s running a business repairing and recycling computers are two examples from my constituency.
Treatments have been developed through European research for diseases so rare that no one country could have done it alone. International copyright rules have been established that allow blind people to benefit from talking books and newspapers.Treatments have been developed through European research for diseases so rare that no one country could have done it alone. International copyright rules have been established that allow blind people to benefit from talking books and newspapers.
If these and other disability rights were torn up through Britain exiting the EU, could British disabled people really rely on the government to reinstate each and every one of them? Being part of Europe is a safeguard against British governments of all political colours removing disability rights.If these and other disability rights were torn up through Britain exiting the EU, could British disabled people really rely on the government to reinstate each and every one of them? Being part of Europe is a safeguard against British governments of all political colours removing disability rights.
The EU made sure non-discrimination employment rights were extended to small business, overcame resistance to recognising sign language as an official language, and continues to protect the independence of the oft-berated Equalities and Human Rights Commission.The EU made sure non-discrimination employment rights were extended to small business, overcame resistance to recognising sign language as an official language, and continues to protect the independence of the oft-berated Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
EU leave campaigners who rail against the powers of the European Court deliberately confuse the EU’s Court of Justice with the completely separate European Court of Human Rights. Nevertheless, those of us who campaign for Britain to remain in Europe should proudly attest why it is good for the state to be made accountable for respecting the human rights of disabled people (pdf).EU leave campaigners who rail against the powers of the European Court deliberately confuse the EU’s Court of Justice with the completely separate European Court of Human Rights. Nevertheless, those of us who campaign for Britain to remain in Europe should proudly attest why it is good for the state to be made accountable for respecting the human rights of disabled people (pdf).
Protection against cruel and degrading treatment is an important defence of decent public services in the current climate of austerity – as one disabled woman proved when she sued her local authority for cutting her care package.Protection against cruel and degrading treatment is an important defence of decent public services in the current climate of austerity – as one disabled woman proved when she sued her local authority for cutting her care package.
A final myth plied by leave proponents is that Britain is somehow being held back from a bigger, better alternative outside Europe.A final myth plied by leave proponents is that Britain is somehow being held back from a bigger, better alternative outside Europe.
Related: The role of service users in social care leadership
Last month I helped host a visit to Belgium by organisations of disabled people from Asia, Africa and Latin America. For them, life with a disability was better in the EU and they had come to Brussels to learn from our ways of working.Last month I helped host a visit to Belgium by organisations of disabled people from Asia, Africa and Latin America. For them, life with a disability was better in the EU and they had come to Brussels to learn from our ways of working.
Take the achievement of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. British diplomacy within the EU was instrumental in winning agreement in the UN – the first human rights convention ever signed by the EU itself.Take the achievement of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. British diplomacy within the EU was instrumental in winning agreement in the UN – the first human rights convention ever signed by the EU itself.
Britain within the EU is more influential and the world is better off because of it. So let’s remember the great international spirit which enabled Britain to host the Paralympics, and to share a message of disability achievement and equality with other countries.Britain within the EU is more influential and the world is better off because of it. So let’s remember the great international spirit which enabled Britain to host the Paralympics, and to share a message of disability achievement and equality with other countries.
That is the spirit as a British politician I take to my own work for disabled people in Europe every day. And it is the spirit we should bring in to the EU referendum campaign: British disabled people are stronger in Europe.That is the spirit as a British politician I take to my own work for disabled people in Europe every day. And it is the spirit we should bring in to the EU referendum campaign: British disabled people are stronger in Europe.
This article is an edited version of a speech given to national disability charity the Papworth Trust.This article is an edited version of a speech given to national disability charity the Papworth Trust.
Join the Social Care Network to read more pieces like this. Follow us on Twitter (@GdnSocialCare) and like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest social care news and views.Join the Social Care Network to read more pieces like this. Follow us on Twitter (@GdnSocialCare) and like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest social care news and views.