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The Academic Network of European Disability Experts (ANED)

EU2020 - Europe 2020: preparation of evidence

ANED Annual meeting 14 November 2014, Brussels

The second session focused on preparation of evidence for Europe2020. Professor Mark Priestley (University of Leeds) gave a brief summary of the new reporting methodology for ANED´s national inputs to the European Semester. Based on the recapitulated EU2020 targets he formulated some issues´ examples identified on the grounds of national country fiches on disability (e.g. reduced eligibility to disability pensions; reductions in spending of public support at municipal level; applying of active and personalised support into work; needs for flexible and secure work; trans-sectoral approach to disability strategy). Following these preliminary findings Professor Paula Pinto (ANED Portugal country expert) presented the situation in Portugal, assessing policies in employment, education, poverty and social exclusion areas.

Her presentation focused mainly on the existing  gaps, rather than synergies, between developments in the above mentioned areas in regards to Portugal, Lastly, in relation to her country, Ms. Pinto stressed the existing lack of statistics and relevant data to monitor disability policies. Plenary feedback of the other national country experts confirmed the presences of a very poor situation in regards to relevant data availability and absence of special disability related indicators in the national documents and monitoring systems. Finally, Hana Velecka (European Commission) and Sarah Woodin (University of Leeds) formulated their comments and expectations for country based inputs to the European Semester. Discussion further revealed  an inssuficient visibility of disability in all relevant documents (National reform programmes, SWD, CSR). Hana Velecka and Inmaculada Placencia Porrero stressed the importance of including, in the Network‘s national reports, more evidence about disability related national problems. Therefore giving  the Commission the possibility to include this evidence, and give disability related issues a more prominent presence in such important documents.

Powerpoint presentation Professor Mark Priestley (PDF 1.732 kB)
Handout Prof. Mark Priestley (PDF 146 kB)

Powerpoint presentation Professor Paula Pinto (PDF 912 kB)
Audio recording Professor Paula Pinto (mp3 23 min.)
Handout Professor Paula Pinto (183 kB)