37 Million disabled Europeans applaud the new Treaty Article 6A on Non Discrimination, and a declaration for disabled Consumers in the Single Market.

The Amsterdam Summit marked the Climax of an eighteen month campaign throughout the Union and sustained work by Member Organisations with the Spanish, Irish and Dutch Presidencies to shift Governments’ thinking on discrimination and disability.

Johan Wesemann, EDF Chair addressed jubilent representatives of the Disability Movement in Amsterdam during the Summit "The clause is a major breakthrough - The Canvas on which the Disability Movement can paint a different future based on true Equality and Citizenship. As a representatative voice at EU Level, The EUROPEAN DISABILITY FORUM must now ensure that the Clause is used to optimum effect for our constituent Groups throughout the Members States".

Our demands for a reference to disability in relation to Single market Harmonisation was an issue which the new UK Government was prepared to champion. This resulted in an eleventh hour agreement for a declaration linked to Article 100A. Although this is not legally binding, it will provide the political impetus to ensure "DESIGN FOR ALL" is the maxim for Community Standards for Goods.

A deletion in Article 118, which could jeopardise a future European Disability Programme was denounced as inconsistent with other Treaty Provisions. "We cannot dwell on this in the light of other successes - but it is an indictment on certain Member States that minimum cost measures to promote innovation, exchange and good practise did not enjoy universal support - and we will certainly challenge it in the months to come".

The wording of ARTICLE 6 A in the AMSTERDAM TREATY is confirmed as follows:

WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS TREATY AND WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE POWERS CONFERRED BY IT UPON THE COMMUNTIY, THE COUNCIL ACTING UNANIMOUSLY ON A PROPOSAL FROM THE COMMISSION AND AFTER CONSULTING THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MAY TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIO TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX, RACIAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN, RELIGIOUS BELIEF, DISABILITY, AGE OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

We have also succeeded in obtaining a declaration, to be annexed to the Treaty in relation to ARTICLE 100 A on Single Market Harmonisation. The wording of this is as follows:

"IN DRAWING UP MEASURES UNDER ARTICLE 100A, ACCOUNT SHOULD BE TAKEN OF THE NEEDS OF DISABLED PEOPLE".

Although a Declaration is non-binding, it provides a strong political message which will facilitate our work in the future in "disability-proofing" proposals emerging under Article 100A.

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