European Network on
Independent Living
Secretariat
secretariat@enil.eu
PRESS RELEASE
Strasbourg, September 4th to 6th
Disabled people will rally in Strasbourg for their rights.



ENIL and CIL Dublin organizes third edition of Strasbourg Freedom Drive.
More than 240 people including 125 disabled people from more than 10
European countries will participate in a rally for their rights to the European
Parliament.
They will also meet MEPs and the Disability Intergroup.
From September the 4th until the 6th, more than 125 disabled citizens and their personal
assistants from Germany, Norway, Ireland, Sweden, UK, Bulgaria, Belgium, Italy, France
and Spain will participate in the third edition of Strasbourg Freedom Drive. This event is
organized by the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and the Center for
Independent Living Carmichael House (Dublin).
Freedom Drivers will demand UN Convention ratification both by the European Union and
Member States; a continuation of prior goals of deinstitutionalisation and the establishment of
a personal assistance system; encourage co-operation between the European Union and
the Member States; mainstreaming Disability in Policy Formulation; and full Participation
of People with Disabilities. It is core for Freedom Drive 2007 that Independent Living
remains central in the disability policies of the EU and that 5% of EU development
funding goes to disabled people in developing countries. As
ENIL President, Bente Skånsgard, states “We want to be sure that
these demands are implemented and are not just rhetorical
policies.”The Strasbourg Freedom Drive is part of an overall strategy to
empower people with disabilities across Europe. It is an opportunity for
people with disabilities from all European countries to join together and
converge on the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where they will meet
MEPs of different countries, the Disability Intergroup of the European
Parliament including its president Richard Howitt MEP.
ENIL is an NGO created in 1989 by individuals and organisations who promote
equal opportunities for disabled people, accordingly fight against disability discrimination in Europe.
CIL - Center for Independent Living was founded in 1992 in Dublin, by and for people with
disabilities. All members in both follow the Independent Living values, principles and practices.
Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for selfdetermination, equal opportunities and self-respect.
In order to contact with participants from the mentioned countries or with the Strasbourg Freedom
Drive Organization, e-mail or call ENIL Secretariat:
More information:
Carmen G. Hernández - press contact
http://freedomdrive.blogspot.com/
secretariat@enil.eu
Office phone: (34) 96 325 54 57
Cell phone: (34) 669 730 832
Gran Vía Marqués del Turia, 49-7º-12ª • 46005 Valencia • SPAIN
Tlf. (+34) 96 325 54 57 • Fax (+34) 96 325 54 59
CIF N0071716E
www.enil.eu