Dr Annalu Waller, a lecturer in Applied Computing at the University of Dundee, just returned from the European Parliament having been appointed to the European Parliament of Disabled People on behalf of the Cerebral Palsy European Communities Association.
The European Parliament hosted a Disabled People's Parliament Event on earlier this month in Brussels. This event marked the 10th anniversary of the UN Standard Rules and the European Year of Disabled Persons 2003.
Annalu was one of 200 delegates representing associations of disabled people. The Disabled People's Parliament took place in the European Parliament Hemicycle, which had been vacated by the European Parliament.
Annalu was allotted three minutes speaking time during which she expressed a concern that too often disability groups viewed themselves as separate from mainstream society.In her speech, Annalu said: "Although it is acknowledged that forceful measures are necessary to remove barriers preventing full participation in society by disabled people, it is also important to create an atmosphere in which society realises that disability is not something that is outside normal society. The only way to remove the stigma of disability is to make society aware that disability is something that affects everyone. Disability is a continuum in which everybody is disabled to some extent (visible and hidden) and everyone will experience loss of function at some stage of their lives". She said of the experience: "Having one's speech translated into eleven different languages, a number of sign languages and transcribed onto a huge screen was a daunting, but privileged experience, especially in such a large auditorium in front of so many MEPs".
Annalu was also successful in having two new paragraphs added to the resolution one dealing with the rights of non-speaking people to have access to augmentative and alternative communication and another on the need for a user-centred approach to research and development. Annalu sees her visit as being productive and said: "Our research at Dundee has resulted in an awareness of two important issues at the highest political level which were neglected in the draft resolution a great success.
The two day event allowed the gathering to report back on progress made in recognition of disabled rights in the member countries as well as issues which remain problematic. In particular, discrimination facing disabled people in accession countries was addressed.
The first of two plenary sessions discussed a resolution to be presented to the European Parliament on the position of disabled people in the member states. The resolution focuses on the need for member states to ensure non-discrimination of disabled people and equal access to all areas of society. The second day focused on the accessibility of voting procedures and the opportunities for more representation on disabled candidates in European elections. This issue is seen as vital if disabled people are to succeed in influencing policies which affect them.
Selected delegates were invited to speak during the plenary sessions on issues which ranged from the need for accessible information technology for people with visually impairments to a plea from a young woman with Downs Syndrome not to abort disabled foetuses out of hand. There was a strong feeling that decisions and legal resolutions must be directed by disabled people themselves the rallying call "Nothing for us without us" was repeated throughout the plenary sessions.
Contact: Dr Annalu Waller 01382 348223
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk