“Institution, No Solution” Was The Slogan Of Over 300 Disabled Activists Who Came To Brussels From All Over The World
On October 2nd, in Brussels, the Freedom Drive 2019 took place, a march to make the voices of people with disabilities heard by the European Institutions.
Fighting against the tendency to isolate people with special needs in separate schools, houses, almost in a parallel world. The activists demanded that inclusion would be at the center of the political strategy of all countries.
The European Network on Independent Living organized the march and a full three days of conferences, workshops and a public hearing at the EU parliament.
More info: destinationeverywhere.eu
The demonstration starts from under the arches of the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels: more than 300 people from all over the world
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Making a point in front of the European Commission: What do we want? Our independence! When do we want it? NOW!
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Independent living is all about ditching stereotypes and a “charity approach” to disability
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
True Brusseleir Martine wants her independence NOW!
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Kapka Panayotova is a well-known disability leader
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Kapka Panayotova is also a human rights advocate in Bulgaria, and the President of the European Network on Independent Living which organized the march.
From all over the world! The group from Lithuania
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Quebec and Japan activists came all the way to Brussels
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
From Greece Kamil Goungor, on the right, Policy Officer of the European Network on Independent Living and travel blogger
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
No to separating people with disabilities from society: yes to building an inclusive society where everyone participates
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
From the UK and Belgium with all means of transport (and a fashionable mascotte too)
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
This is what it feels like to lose independence
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Strong moment of the demonstration in front of the European Social and Economic Committee.
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
From Norway: the meaning of life
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Arriving at the European Parliament strong and loud
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Even the rain did not stop the march
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
The march ended with speeches under a cover and continued with a public hearing at the Parliament and a full day of conferences the following day.
A piece of the Destination Everywhere team, we are a company dedicated to promoting tourism for people with disabilities and we were super happy to be part of this
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
A big thank you to Enrica Laneri for the wonderful photos!
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Couldn't agree more with you Sara Kate Lamming! Luckily due to the rise of more travel agents focused on Accessible Travels, also the environment is improving and becoming more accessible. Small steps but hopefully with great results. Support these local travel agents please :-) www.accessibletravelplatform.com
This issue is so important. As a wheelchair user I find that only the most basic steps towards inclusion are granted by law and are not always implemented. We need more than that. Every effort should be made to allow those with a disability to live the same life as those without.
Couldn't agree more with you Sara Kate Lamming! Luckily due to the rise of more travel agents focused on Accessible Travels, also the environment is improving and becoming more accessible. Small steps but hopefully with great results. Support these local travel agents please :-) www.accessibletravelplatform.com
This issue is so important. As a wheelchair user I find that only the most basic steps towards inclusion are granted by law and are not always implemented. We need more than that. Every effort should be made to allow those with a disability to live the same life as those without.
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