- ENIL organizes third edition of Strasbourg Freedom Drive.
- More than 125 disabled people from more than 10 European countries will participate in a rally for their rights to the European Parliament.
- They will also meet MEPs and the Disability Intergroup.
From September the 4th until the 6th, more than 125 disabled citizens and their personal assistants from Germany, Norway, Ireland, Sweden, UK, Bulgaria, Belgium, Italy, France and Spain will participate in the third edition of Strasbourg Freedom Drive. This event is organized by the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and the Center for Independent Living Carmichael House (Dublin). The Strasbourg Freedom Drive is part of an overall strategy to empower people with disabilities across Europe. It is an opportunity for people with disabilities from all European countries to join together and converge on the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where they will meet MEPs of different countries, the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament, and representatives of other key EU institutions. Freedom Drivers will also rally to the Parliament where they will meet with Mr. Richard Howitt, President of the Disability Intergroup. Freedom Drivers will demand UN Convention ratification both by the European Commission and Member States; a continuation of prior goals of deinstitutionalisation and the establishment of a personal assistance system; encourage co-operation between the Commission and the Member States; mainstreaming Disability in Policy Formulation; and full Participation of People with Disabilities. It is essential for Freedom Drive 2007 that Independent Living remains central in the disability policies of the EU and that 5% of EU development funding goes to disabled people in developing countries. As ENIL President, Bente Skånsgard, states “We want to be sure that these demands are implemented and are not just rhetorical policies.”