Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-10-04-Speech-3-200"
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"en.20001004.8.3-200"2
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"Mr President, there is no hierarchy of discrimination. I welcome this directive as the first-ever EU law introducing Europe-wide rights for our 37 million disabled citizens, an end to the back-door route to legislate for disability rights and a tribute to the disability movement which has campaigned for this day. In particular the agreement of the principle of reasonable accommodation, pioneered in Sweden and Ireland, will now ensure that employers across Europe adapt their workplaces, acquire specialist equipment and amend their working practices so that disabled employees really do get a fair chance. It might simply mean lowering a light switch by a metre but, for the wheelchair user it makes the difference between a job or no job.
I thank Mr Mann for his support on this point. I also thank my colleague, Mr Cashman, for accepting my amendments on the action programme which will guarantee European money to cover the extra cost of disability, to promise information accessible to all, and to ensure that disabled people can speak for themselves.
Two more messages. Firstly, to all MEPs, remember that we achieved a strong directive combating race discrimination, for which I was proud to act as co-rapporteur, with action against incitement, for the right to go to court, to empower NGOs, to shift the burden of proof. Do not meddle with these hard-won gains.
Secondly, to the Commissioner, I know you will not today be able to accept my Amendment No 56 on procurement, but in your reply I ask you to promise this House that you will bring forward new legislation to link the power of the public purse to companies' compliance with these laws. Please also tell us that it was a mistake for the Commission to propose core funding for only one European NGO representing each discriminated group. This legislation is about valuing diversity. Do not ignore your own words by denying deaf people, people with learning difficulties, and self-managed organisations of disabled people the possibility even to sit at the table."@en1
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