European Charter of Disability
The social inclusion of people with disabilities also passes through the European Disability Card
It seems now in the pipeline the European Disability Card, or the European Charter of Disability, a card that allows access to people with disabilities in a number of free or reduced cost on transport, culture and leisure in the area national in a reciprocity regime with other EU countries.
For several years there has been talk of this important instrument of recognition of “disabled status” throughout the European Union. 2021 could be the year of realization: the law budget has in fact allocated a fund of 1.5 million euros for the three-year period 2019-2021 and provides for the issuance of an inter-ministerial decree to define the access criteria, the methods for identifying those entitled as well as the indications on the implementation and distribution.
Participating Countries
The participating European countries are 8: Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Malta, Romania, Slovenia. In these countries and in those that will join subsequently, people with disabilities will be able to use the Card as an identification document (without having to bring old paper records with them) and as a tool to benefit from tariff concessions for access to museums or places of culture, for leisure and transport.
LIFC has monitored the implementation process of the Disability Card in recent years, recognizing its important value: guaranteeing the full social inclusion of people with disabilities who travel within the European Union for study, work or tourism reasons.
The Card, which will be issued by INPS at the request of the interested party, will be free and will contain the personal data of the applicant and an identification photo, so as to have both the value of an identity document and a validity document. As such, in case of theft or loss, a report must be filed. Once requested, the Card will be sent to the disabled person’s home and within 60 days from the date of the application, it will be active. It will have a maximum duration of 10 years (or with a deadline linked to the recognition of disability) and must be renewed if the condition of invalidity or disability changes over time.
Among the recipients we find both civil invalids and the handicapped, therefore all patients with cystic fibrosis can apply for it, independently or through the Lifc Associations which, previously enabled by INPS, will be able to initiate requests on behalf of the interested parties. .
The European Charter will be for the exclusive use of the holder who can use it from the moment in which the conventions or memoranda of understanding between the countries are active and can be consulted on the website of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
At the moment the Disability Card does not include the name of the caregiver, therefore it can only be used by the holder.