Liz Lynne MEP welcomes Freedom Drive Campaigners to the European Parliament

11.51.24am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Sep 2009

Over 400 people with disabilities converged on Strasbourg this week from all over the European Union to engage in frank discussion about their empowerment and rights with Members of the European Parliament, as part of their fourth 'Freedom Ride'.

West Midlands Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne met with members of the European Network for Independent Living (ENIL), including Eleonar Lisney from the West Midlands region, to discuss her work on disability issues in the Parliament and to find out what more can be done to improve disabled people's rights.

The freedom drive is an event that takes place at the European Parliament every two years and brings together disabled people from all over the European Union.

Speaking following the event, Liz, who was in the previous Parliament Vice President of the All Party Disability Intergroup and who is currently Vice President of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said:

"I was delighted to once again welcome the Freedom drive to Strasbourg, with a new parliament in place following the European elections in June, it is vital that the voices of disabled people are heard.

"Many of the over 60 million disabled people across the European Union strive to live more independent lives but are not offered the support necessary to do so."

"Disabled people of all ages and backgrounds must be empowered to take control of their own lives, live with dignity and participate fully as equal citizens"

"We have achieved a lot in the disability field at a European level but we still have a long way to go to end the discrimination and exclusion faced by so many."

"First and foremost this means making sure EU laws that outlaw discrimination on the grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation and religion and belief in the workplace across the EU are effectively implemented.

"We must also continue to push for the adoption of new legislation I have long campaigned for which will outlaw discrimination on all grounds in access to goods and services across the European Union.

Disability Rights Campaigner and Coventry resident Eleonar Lisney said:

"I am delighted that over 440 campaigners from over 21 countries joined this years freedom rally; this shows just how much solidarity there is between campaigners for disability rights across different EU countries."