CYIL vol. 15 (2024)

VIOLETA VASILIAUSKIENĖ, BIRUTĖ PRANEVIČIENĖ relevance, coherence, and EU added value” 50 . The Commission concluded that as a result of the Strategy, disability agenda was prioritized in EU policy, which led to subsequent policy, for example European Accessibility Act 51 , Web Accessibility Directive 52 , Rights of Passengers with Reduced Mobility 53 . Despite these efforts, people with disabilities in the EU continued to face challenges, such as poverty and unemployment 54 . Furthermore, the Strategy had the most significant positive impact to people with visible disabilities, highlighting the need for more comprehensive strategy to address the needs of all people with disabilities 55 . In order to build on the successes and to address the shortcomings of the 2010–2020 strategy, a new initiative was launched – The Strategy for the Rights of Person With Disabilities 2021–2030. The Strategy for the Rights of Person with Disabilities 2021–2030 56 was adopted with a goal to “improve the lives of persons with disabilities in Europe and around the world” over the next 10 years. One of the tenets of this new strategy is “equal participation as it aims to effectively protect persons with disabilities from any form of discrimination and violence […].” 57 The Strategy underlines the importance of effective access to justice for persons with disabilities. It stresses the importance of removing practical and legal barriers which “hinder persons with disabilities in criminal and civil proceedings from acting as witnesses, defending their rights as victims, suspects or accused persons” 58 , also taking care that digitalisation of justice includes the considerations for people with disabilities. Specific attention will be directed, among other persons, to persons with disabilities living in institutions. The Commission undertook the task to provide guidance to Member States on access to justice for persons with disabilities in the EU, building on international guidance provided by the United Nations. Speaking about ensuring safety and protection, the Commission underlined Persons with disabilities have a higher risk of becoming victims of violence and abuse both in their home environment and in institutions, in particular women, older persons and children with disabilities. 59 It underscores the importance of multi-faceted policies that are needed to better support and protect the safety of persons with disabilities in all situations. The Commission 50 European Commission ‘Commission staff working document executive summary of the evaluation of the European disability strategy 2010–2020’ SWD(2020) 291 final. 51 Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (2019) OJ L 151, pp. 70–115. 52 Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (2016) OJ L 327, 2.12.2016, pp. 1–15. 53 ‘Rights for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility’ accessed 14 June 2024. 54 ‘European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 helped to remove barriers’ (20 November 2020) accessed 14 June 2024. 55 European Commission ‘Commission staff working document executive summary of the evaluation of the European disability strategy 2010-2020’ SWD(2020) 291 final. 56 ‘Union of equality: Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030’ accessed 14 June 2024. 57 Ibid. 58 European Commission ‘European Disability Strategy 2010-2020: A Renewed Commitment to a Barrier-Free Europe’ COM/2010/0636 final, p. 16. 59 Ibid, p. 21.

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