Ammo for Activists: European Year of Disabled People 2003

Andy Rickell, Chief Executive, BCODP

The UN International Year of Disabled People in 1981 was used by disabled people to advance the cause of the Movement. It helped in the coming into being of both BCODP and Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI), the worldwide equivalent of BCODP.

The European Year of Disabled People 2003 is another excellent opportunity to advance our cause:

1. All of us can use the extra media interest that there will be about disabled people to get our message across on TV, radio and in the press. What about starting your press releases with something like ‘In the European Year of Disabled People, we think its unfair that….’

2. Disabled people across the European Union are lobbying Euro politicians to pass European laws in 2003 that will give comprehensive civil rights to disabled people right across Europe. The UK government will then have to turn them into UK laws.

3. Some European and possibly government money will be put into activities in 2003. BCODP is represented in the National Coordinating Committee and are winning the argument that disabled peoples’ organisations should be able to bid for the money. Up to £10,000 may be available to local projects run by disabled people. Bids will be asked for over the summer of 2002 for the projects starting in Spring 2003.

Lets make the European Year work for us!

© Copyright British Council of Disabled People 2002