The European Commission proposed this Wednesday the introduction of a European disability card and a parking card for people with disabilities, valid throughout the European Union (EU) and in addition to the national cards, which are also issued by the Member States.
The standard European disability card will serve to guarantee equal treatment – such as free and/or priority access, lower fares or personal assistance – when beneficiaries visit other Member States, and serve as proof of disability status in all EU countries.
According to a press release, the new parking card “will give people with disabilities access to the same parking rights available in another Member State”.
This parking card will have a mandatory common format, which will replace national parking cards for people with disabilities, and will be recognized throughout the EU.
The directive, presented this Wednesday, requires member states to offer the cards in both physical and digital versions, to make public the conditions and rules for issuing or withdrawing the cards, and to ensure that service providers provide information on special conditions and preferential treatment for individuals with disabilities, in an accessible format.
Each Member State must designate a competent authority to oversee the issuance, renewal and withdrawal of both cards, in accordance with their respective national rules and practices.
The proposal will have to be approved by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament.
Source: DN
