This work starts with a comparative analysis of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons
with Disabilities (CRPD) and the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (EDS) showing
that whilst the role of social and health services for disabled persons is clearly stated
in the CRPD, this role is less clear in the EDS. Starting from this observation, EASPD
consulted its members on how a service perspective could be developed in the European
Disability strategy.
The second chapter ofthis booklet, “Inclusion is the solution, not the enemy, EASPD
Survey on the impact of the crisis on the disability sector”, is the result of a survey on
the impact of the financial and economic crisis on the disability sector, specifically with
regards to the delivery of services to persons with disabilities. The survey was completed
by Umbrella and Single Agency Member Organisations from right across the EASPD
network in January 2012. The replies give powerful evidence about the significant negative
impact of the crisis: the commitment of our membership in providing high quality
services is jeopardized by the austerity measures.
Disabled citizens are more likely than others to suffer from the effects of the crisis,
especially those experiencing high dependency needs: poverty, unemployment and social
exclusion. Cuts in the social sector hinder the capacity of services to support them at the
moment when they need it most. Care and support professionals are leaving the sector,
which is not attractive enough, while services cannot anymore focus on quality, as their
sustainability is too uncertain. Innovative services are the first ones to be cut, creating
a serious danger of regression towards institutionalised settings. The European Commission
encourages austerity measures but wishes the European Union to be a model of
inclusiveness. This contradictory approach cannot lead to success.