Stronger policies and better implementation: European Disability Forum meets EU Commissioner for equality

5 October 2026

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, met with a delegation from the European Disability Forum (EDF) on 29 September to discuss the European Commission’s actions on disability rights. The meeting was led by EDF President Gunta Anca and focused on four key areas:

The ‘Enhanced’ EU Disability Rights Strategy
The EU budget for 2028-2034
Advances to the proposed Equal Treatment Directive
Preparedness and crisis response

Enhanced EU Disability Rights Strategy

The EDF delegation welcomed the Commission’s initiatives and consultation process on the ‘Enhanced’ EU Disability Rights Strategy but emphasised the need for binding actions. While there is potential in some proposed measures—particularly those aimed at employment—EDF stressed that such actions must lead to binding legislation developed with the meaningful involvement of representative organisations of persons with disabilities.

The delegation also expressed hopes that the Independent Living Alliance, comprising policymakers and stakeholders, will secure additional EU funding to help combat segregation faced by people with disabilities.

Commissioner Lahbib assured the delegation that promoting equality, including the rights of persons with disabilities, is central to the European Union’s priorities. She explained that the breadth of her portfolios offers a comprehensive view of barriers faced and highlighted the importance of an intersectional approach, as well as a focus on implementing existing policies.

2028-2034 EU Budget and Funding Safeguards

The meeting addressed the EU budget’s current support for disability inclusion, while underscoring concerns that upcoming funding for 2028-2034 may fall short of needs. EDF representatives pointed out the absence of safeguards to ensure that EU funding is aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

Equal Treatment Directive

EDF presented preliminary findings from an upcoming report analysing national anti-discrimination laws. This evidence aims to assist both the European Commission and the broader disability movement in pressing for adoption of the Equal Treatment Directive, which has remained stalled in negotiations for 18 years.

Commissioner Lahbib thanked the Forum for the valuable material and committed to working towards unblocking the Directive.

Preparedness and Crisis Response

The conversation also covered preparedness, specifically focusing on the EU Preparedness Strategy and its efforts to promote disability inclusion in crisis response actions.

Remarks from EDF President Gunta Anca

Gunta Anca described the meeting as “very open and constructive”. She said: “I expressed the need for policies that improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. I also underlined that, for these policies to be effective, organisations of persons with disabilities need to be well-resourced and involved from the beginning of the process.”