AccessibleEU has organised a workshop on emergency preparedness within the framework of the Zero Project Conference 2026, which will explore how accessible technologies can support inclusive emergency preparedness and response.

The event will bring together international leading experts, innovators, policymakers, and disability rights advocates. Its aim is to discuss how accessible digital solutions can enhance inclusive emergency responses in situations such as environmental disasters, armed conflicts, and migration crises, among others.

The session will also address the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in such scenarios and will encourage cross‑sector collaboration.

The workshop will take place on 18 February 2026, from 16:30 to 19:30 (CET), during the Zero Project Conference, held at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). English captioning and International Sign interpretation will be available.

The event is hybrid and free of charge. Access the agenda and registration form.

Fuente: AccessibleEU

Many European countries, despite having signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, still deny persons with intellectual disabilities their rights, says the Inclusion Indicators report published by Inclusion Europe.

According to the report, 14 countries continue to remove the legal capacity of persons with intellectual disabilities, preventing them from making decisions about their own lives. A further 15 countries allow legal capacity to be partially removed without providing supported decision-making mechanisms.

Additionally, in 13 countries persons with intellectual disabilities may lose their right to vote when their legal capacity is withdrawn, and in 14 countries they are prevented from standing as candidates in elections.

Only 4 countries fully respect the right to make decisions with appropriate support, and just 5 countries have elected representatives with intellectual disabilities.

Another finding of the study is that institutionalisation remains widespread across Europe. At least 1.1 million persons with disabilities live in large, segregated institutions. Another 350,000 persons live in smaller care homes, 270,000 of whom are citizens of European Union Member States.

Furthermore, 37,000 persons with intellectual disabilities are placed in psychiatric hospitals. Although at least 7 countries have closed institutions this year, institutionalisation remains deeply entrenched.

Housing and support options for these individuals continue to be extremely limited, as do employment opportunities. Those working in protected employment programmes earn below the minimum wage.

Source: AccessibleEU

The Spanish National Police has opened a nationwide accessibility office that will promote universal accessibility in all areas of police work. The creation of this office follows a commitment to comply with the rights of persons with disabilities.

The office also serves as an observatory that will bring together the institution’s resources and actions related to staff training and assistance to citizens with disabilities.

This initiative is part of a plan called in Spanish Policía Nacional Incluye (National Police Includes) which aims to remove barriers that hinder the rights of people with disabilities and of others in need of special protection.

More information about the services offered by the Spanish National Police’s accessibility office (in Spanish only). Original source in Spanish. 

The Access City Award 2026, organised by the European Commission and the European Disability Forum, is now open for application. The deadline is September 9, 2025.

The award recognises cities that prioritise accessibility for all persons. Specifically, it is open to:

• All EU cities of over 50 000 inhabitants,
• Urban areas comprising two or more towns with a combined population of over 50 000 inhabitants, if they are in EU countries with less than 2 cities with over 50 000 inhabitants.

The winners will be announced on 4-5 December 2025 at an award ceremony during the European Day of Persons with Disabilities conference organised by the European Commission together with the European Disability Forum. Apply to the 16th edition of the Access City Award. More information.

The European Accessibility Centre will hold a double celebration this July, marking its second anniversary and the entry into force of the European Accessibility Act, with a conference taking place in Brussels. The activity aims to provide an opportunity to reflect on progress made, share good practices, and prepare for the transformative changes the Act will bring.

It also aims to promote dialogue and showcase the results achieved to date. The goal is to ensure all stakeholders are prepared for the transformative impact of the Act and celebrate the momentum towards a European Union that benefits everyone. The event will be offered exclusively in English and in a hybrid format. It will also include captioning in English and International Sign.

Information and registration

But that’s not all. On July 1, the event How to improve accessibility of banking services will also take place in Brussels. It has been organised by AccessibleEU and the European Banking Union (EBU).

The conference aims to provide an opportunity to share experiences and best practices to make banking platforms more accessible.

Information and registration Source: AccessibleEU

AccessibAll and UEFA are inviting persons with disabilities from different European countries to participate in a research project that seeks to learn about their experiences as football fans.

They are particularly keen to know about the experiences of disabled fans with existing barriers as well as about situations that may arise in stadiums that could hinder their enjoyment of matches.

The survey language is English. However, most internet browsers will be able to translate the questions automatically into participants’ chosen language (see AccessibAll’s website). Please feel free to complete the survey in your preferred language.

The survey will be open until midnight on 31 May 2025, and a detailed report on the findings will be published later in the year.

Source: Accessiball