AccessibilityAtlas Lobbies the EU and UN on Disability Rights at the 32nd Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

In March 2025, AccessibilityAtlas participated in the 32nd Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Geneva, where we presented a comprehensive report on the implementation of Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities within the European Union. Our report emphasized the importance of ensuring equal access to the physical environment, transportation, information, and communications—including digital technologies—as a cornerstone of inclusive societies.

The AccessibilityAtlas delegation, composed of Antonia Tarfulea, Kaushik Setty, Eric Octavian, and Dinu Antonescu, submitted the organization’s findings as part of the EU’s periodic review by the Committee. Our analysis highlighted the scope, enforcement, and critical gaps in accessibility laws across EU member states, drawing from grassroots testimonies, legal frameworks, and policy research.

During the session, Antonia, Eric, and Dinu, delivered a speech that called for stronger enforcement of existing laws and the expansion of accessibility standards beyond the limited scope of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The presentation was met with enthusiasm and commendation from Committee members, who praised the clarity, depth, and forward-thinking nature of our recommendations.

Our impact was immediate and significant. Several of our report’s proposals were directly referenced by Committee Expert Ms. Laverne Jacobs (Canada) in her formal inquiries to the EU delegation. These included:

“What measures would be taken to extend accessibility to areas currently not covered by the European Accessibility Act?”

“What measures were being taken to inform the enforcement of digital accessibility laws?”

“What measures were being adopted to ensure accessibility standards were integrated into the development of rapidly growing technology such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality?”

These questions reflect an endorsement of AccessibilityAtlas’ work and demonstrate how youth-led organizations can shape global policy dialogue. The Committee emphasized that constructive dialogue is key to progress—and AccessibilityAtlas, with the generous support of the Centre for Voters Initiative & Action, ensured that the perspectives of persons with disabilities, particularly those often excluded from EU policymaking, were not only acknowledged but prioritized.

In response to the Committee’s questions—many of which stemmed from our recommendations—the European Union delegation acknowledged that “the scope of European Union legislation in the area of accessibility was affected by the competences of the Union and the principle of subsidiarity.” This response highlighted the institutional challenges of EU-wide implementation but also reaffirmed the need for continued civil society advocacy.

Together, we left Geneva with renewed determination: to ensure accessibility is no longer seen as a secondary concern, but as a fundamental human right. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Centre for Voters Initiative & Action for their unwavering support in helping us author and present this report.