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IDiPD was present at the High-Level Conference

Updated : 27/05/2026

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The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, IP (IDiPD) participated in the High-Level Conference “Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities: Empowerment and Support in a Community for All”, held in Limassol, Cyprus, on 7 May 2026, under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Participation took place in the framework of the Disability Platform, of which the IDiPD has the national representation, allowing to follow the main European developments on the rights of persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on supported decision-making, independent living and community-based support services.

The Conference provided a relevant space for discussion and sharing of best practices among Member States, European institutions and civil society organisations, reinforcing the importance of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation by the European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, of the European Commission's Communication on strengthening the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the next five years. This reinforcement aims to consolidate the rights and protection of European citizens with disabilities, although organisations such as the European Disability Forum have taken the moment to call for more binding legislation and robust guarantees against institutionalisation.

Among the priorities are accessibility, independent living, inclusive employment and combating poverty and discrimination, with a focus on the effective implementation of European legislation.

The reinforcement of the Strategy includes high-impact initiatives such as the digitalisation of the European Disability Card, the development of assistive technologies and accessible AI, the strengthening of AccessibleEU and the creation of a European Alliance for Independent Living.

The conference reinforced as a central message that autonomy and inclusion can only be fully realised by removing barriers and ensuring access to community-based support services.