European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities: EASPD becomes member of EDF
The European Association of Service provider for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) has officially become an Ordinary Member of the European Disability Forum (EDF) which is an independent Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that represents persons with disabilities from across Europe.
Since the adoption of its multiannual strategy “Reaching out”, EASPD is strengthening its cooperation with its partners and stakeholders, especially persons with disabilities and the associations representing them. On the principle that cooperation and networking would be of utmost importance in order to pave the way for a fully inclusive society, EASPD has therefore requested in 2015 to become a member of EDF.
EDF has currently numerous member organizations which are national and regional organizations representing the interest of persons with disabilities from across Europe. It is an independent organization fighting for the inclusion of disabled people in society. EDF monitors EU initiatives and proposes new legislation to advance disabled people’s rights and in the past it has also led the negotiations for the adoption of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).
As ordinary member of EDF, EASPD will bring the perspective of support services for persons with disabilities into EDF’s work. As member, EASPD will also have voting rights and can be elected in the management structures of the EDF and become active in the decision making process.
EDF is an extensive network which promotes the rights of persons with disabilities and the implementation of the UN CRPD. These objectives are also fundamental for EASPD’s work and the implementation of the CRPD principles requires a strong cooperation from all different stakeholders. Therefore, this official alliance between two organisations aiming at the implementation of the UN CRPD will be essential to support and involve persons with disabilities in the development of high quality and individualised support services across Europe.
