Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2003

From the 20th-25th September 2003 a European 'Freedom Drive' will take place, ending in Strasbourg, France

This event will see disabled people throughout the European Union travelling across Europe and converging on the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Once there participants will meet with their various MEPs and representatives of many key European Union institutions, including the European Parliament and the Court of Human Rights.

The purpose of the Drive is to foster, and support, the active citizenship of disabled people in the European Union, particularly in this the European Year of Disabled People 2003.

Strasbourg 2003 is not restricted to our European friends, non-European countries are also invited and encouraged to take part. Consequently all Freedom Drivers will be given a key opportunity to meet with many other disabled people and take part in awareness raising and networking events, building invaluable links along the way.

Strasbourg Freedom Drive originated from the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and is supported by Independent Living organisations across Europe.

Our EIGHT KEY STRASBOURG DEMANDS are:

• A European Wide Policy on Personal Assistance.
• Action to address the growing number of disabled people being institutionalised.
• More effective representation of disabled people in European Social Inclusion strategies.
• The right to gain Personal Assistance services regardless of cost.
• Promotion of the appropriate implementation of the philosophy of independent living: 5% of Overseas Development Aid to be given to community development projects for disabled people in developing countries.
• Action to highlight and address the significant human rights abuses that many disabled people experience.
• The right to retain personal assistance funding when travelling, regardless of length, or purpose of journey.