By Martin Banks - 9th November 2010
The 112 number is currently not accessible to the majority of disabled people
Adam Kosa
Deaf MEP Adam Kosa has made an impassioned plea for EU-wide action to help improve access to emergency services for people with hearing difficulties.
Speaking at an award ceremony for the European emergency number 112, the Hungarian MEP demanded improved "communication solutions" for disable people, allowing them to access police, fire and ambulance services more easily.
Kosa, a member of parliament's employment and social affairs committee and the only deaf MEP, said the revised "universal service directive" had made some improvement.
But he said, "The 112 number is currently not accessible to the majority of disabled people and that is simply not acceptable."
He said an EU-funded project known as Reach112, was one example which could be used as a model for all member states.
The 12 month scheme, which is currently being piloted in five EU countries, allows disabled people to communicate with the emergency services via video, voice and text messaging.
"This is one example of what is currently happening but we still need more action to ensure that people with disabilities, including deaf people, can actually get hold of the emergency services when they need to do so," he said.
Kosa was a guest speaker at the awards on Monday, organised by the European Emergency Number Association (EENA).
Individuals and organisations particularly engaged in improving and promoting the 112 number were rewarded by the EENA and its members.
The winners included Peter Adamkovic, a 25 year old Slovak who dialled 112 to help save the life of a boy who was drowning.
The London ambulance service was honoured for its use of translation services from callers who do not speak English.
Another winner was telecoms expert Gunnar Hellstrom, from Sweden, who pioneered the Reach112 system.
Olivier Paul-Morandini, president and founder of the EENA, said, "We were delighted to reward these European heroes who all deserve our full recognition: their initiatives contribute to make our everyday life safer."
Public awareness of 112 varies widely, from a meagre five per cent in the UK to 95 per cent in Denmark where it has replaced the national emergency number.
Meanwhile, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published a report on Tuesday on the right to political participation of persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities in the EU.
It says the right to vote is a "fundamental right" of all EU citizens but that in some member states people with mental health problems and intellectual disabilities are discriminated against, since they are not granted this right.
FRA director, Morten Kjærum said, "The right to vote is a fundamental right of all EU citizens, including persons with disabilities. Some EU members should therefore adapt their laws so that persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities who wish to vote can do so.
"These individuals should be able to participate in society as other citizens do. The UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities sends a clear message: it is not persons with disabilities who need to change to fit society, but society itself, which must adapt to the needs of persons with disabilities."
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