Inclusive sport challenges long-held prejudices about disability. And inclusive art and culture allows persons with disabilities to take their rightful place as creators and consumers of the culture that shapes our society. Access to culture and leisure is vital for our well-being and allows many of us to play a full role in our local community. Yet, all too often, persons with disabilities are locked out of these areas of society through inaccessible infrastructure or services that aren’t adapted to their needs The Commission’s ten-year Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities is here to change things. Together we can help make sure everyone is free to make the same choices.
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The right to live our passion
We should all be able to live our passion without being defined by a disability. The teenager with learning difficulties who loves to dance, the army veteran and amputee who wants to get back to competitive cycling or the woman with cerebral palsy who wants to be a comedian: all these people have a right to access the training and support they need to pursue their dreams. Through the Strategy the European Commission and EU countries have committed to a series of actions to make it easier for persons with disabilities to travel for leisure and access sporting and cultural activities across Europe.
These include:
- Promoting the work of artists with disabilities.
- Making cultural heritage sites accessible, with money from EU programmes such as Creative Europe.
- Tackling disability stereotypes in the media and film, with the help of existing EU law on discrimination and dignity.
- Promoting accessible tourism through initiatives such as the European Capital of Smart Tourism Awards.
- Working with sports organisations to make sports more inclusive.
It’s important that persons with disabilities can not only access cultural and leisure venues but are also free to choose and can take part in the activity that they love and at which they can excel.