Since my election as vice-president of the European Parliament’s Epilepsy Working Group last April, I have been especially keen to keep an eye out for strides the European Union takes toward raising awareness of the needs of the 80 million European citizens with disabilities - 40,000 of whom reside in Malta.

In certain EU member states, the economic crisis has seen the quality of life of disabled people decline along with austerity measures. In Spain, financial support for workers with intellectual disabilities was withdrawn, which could see up to 12,000 jobs being lost. From the onset of the crisis some other member states have also changed welfare criteria, making it more difficult for people with disabilities to receive financial assistance.

While it is undeniable that life for Europeans with disabilities and life for many Europeans in general has become difficult given current economic realities, there is some reprieve to be had in the fact that the European Union has not neglected this sector of the population.

It is also understandable that in this climate many worry about the status of legislation in favour of assisting those with disabilities, I am pleased to report that the EU as a whole has continued to raise the profile of the issues at stake. Last December, all three leaders of the European Union, including now former European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek, met with Yannis Vardakastanis, president of the European Disability Forum (EDF). Audiences with all three leaders of the European Union at once are usually reserved for religious leaders. This is evidence that the EU is giving attention to the needs of Europeans with disabilities, who are feeling the impact of the economic crisis in Europe more so than the average citizen. Mr. Vardakastanis was pleased with the meeting and assured constructive measures will be taken, including biannual meetings with the three EU leaders. This may come as a relief to those Europeans living with disabilities who, until now, have seen little to no movement regarding specific legislation concerning people with disabilities.

In 2010, the UN ratified and the EU adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Many Europeans wish that there would be more rapid action taken in implementing this legislation, but progress has certainly not come to a standstill. The fact that not only one, but all three leaders of the EU had a comprehensive meeting with Mr Vardakastanis only last month is a step in the right direction for those concerned with the current state of affairs regarding disability rights.

For our part, the Maltese government has continuously supported the European Disability Strategy for 2010-2020, which is another initiative being taken to address issues facing people with disabilities. Some of the strategy’s main objectives include accessibility, participation, equality, employment, education and training. These are to be implemented by raising awareness, and providing financial support. The Strategy also calls for following the mechanisms required by the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Malta signed the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities in 2007, and is on track to ratify it in the coming year after close work with the National Commission for Persons with Disability.

Due to the scale of the European Union, it is easy to criticise the pace at which change and action is seen to take place. Action on a smaller scale, however, is encouraging and some of the most promising initiatives have been in the field of mobile phone technology. A collaborative effort, for example, between Vodafone, the AGE Platform Europe and the European Disability Forum awards large monetary prizes to the inventors of mobile phone applications available for assisting those living with disabilities. Some of the applications recently awarded include Zoom Plus Magnifier, which zooms in, and changes the colour, text, or contrast of a page. This is particularly useful for those with dyslexia, colour blindness, or a visual impairment. Wheel Map is another useful app for those confined to a wheel chair. Wheel Map allows people to rate and view how accessible public places are so they can know what to expect. Still another app includes HelpTalk which assists those with speech impediments in communicating their needs. Rewarding initiatives such as these applications are a clear way to encourage making Europe more accessible to those with disabilities.

Despite looming fears of austerity-driven budget cuts, there is room to be optimistic. On both a large and small scale, the needs of Europeans with disabilities are being addressed. Over the course of this year, much is expected to be done to continue addressing these needs. The European Parliament will continue to do its utmost to keep legislation of this nature at the forefront of the EU agenda in order to curb any risks the current economic reality may present to those living with disabilities.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP