Brussels, 4 October 2012 /// Disability is a cross-cutting issue, which should be mainstreamed in all EU policies. In these terms, EDF met today the Secretary General of the European Commission, Mrs Catherine Day, and the Directors General of the European Commission.

Brussels, 9 October 2012 /// Access conditions for persons with reduced mobility to transport as a whole need to be further improved while securing a sustainable business environment for the rail sector. This was the main message of a conference organized today by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), and co-moderated by the European Disability

Malta ratified the Convention on 10-10-2012 Dominica ratified the Convention on 1-10-2012 Dominica ratified the Optional Protocol on 1-10-2012 Israel ratified the Convention on 28-9-2012 154 signatories to the convention since its opening for signature 90 signatories to the Optional Protocol since its opening for signature 125 ratifications and accessions to the Convention 74 ratifications

14 June 2012 – The European Commission has launched Interpretative Guidelines whose objective is to ensure the correct implementation of the Regulation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities when travelling by plane (Regulation 1107/2006). These guidelines are not legally binding and the European disability movement welcomes this necessary interpretation that is needed to improve the journey for

Brussels, 30 May 2012 – The Vodafone Foundation has today launched the Smart Accessibility Awards, 2012. The competition calls for developers across Europe to design smartphone applications which take into consideration the needs of older people and people with disabilities.

Copenhagen, 27 May 2012 – The 15th annual general assembly of the European Disability Forum (EDF) brought the whole disability movement in Copenhagen. Among all the crucial topics, the 170 participants focused on how to make sure that the EU will deliver results on the disability strategy 2010-2020.

Copenhagen, 6th March 2012 /// The leaders of the European Disability Forum gathered on the 3rd and 4th of March in the capital of Denmark for their board meeting.

14 March 2012 /// During the past three months, the European Commission ran a public consultation “with a view to a European Accessibility Act”. It is important for the disability movement to express the vision of all persons with disabilities on such an important legislation. A wide consultation has been set up within EDF membership

112 ratifications of the Convention 153 signatories to the Convention Optional Protocol to the Convention: 64 ratifications of the Optional Protocol 90 signatories to the Optional Protocol Mauritania ratified the Convention and its Optional Protocol on 3 April 2012. Bulgaria ratified the Convention on 22 March 2012.

Mile Stojkoski is a person with physical disability who runs a marathon in his wheelchair 3500 km long through 15 countries in Europe finishing at the olympic stadium gates in London. His tour began on March 15th in Macedonia and lasts till the Olympic Games official start in London on July 27th 2012.