On October 2nd, in Brussels, the Freedom Drive 2019 took place, a march to make the voices of people with disabilities heard by the European Institutions.
Fighting against the tendency to isolate people with special needs in separate schools, houses, almost in a parallel world. The activists demanded that inclusion would be at the center of the political strategy of all countries.
The European Network on Independent Living organized the march and a full three days of conferences, workshops and a public hearing at the EU parliament.
More info: destinationeverywhere.eu
The demonstration starts from under the arches of the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels: more than 300 people from all over the world
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Making a point in front of the European Commission: What do we want? Our independence! When do we want it? NOW!
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Independent living is all about ditching stereotypes and a "charity approach" to disability
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
True Brusseleir Martine wants her independence NOW!
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Kapka Panayotova is a well-known disability leader
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Kapka Panayotova is also a human rights advocate in Bulgaria, and the President of the European Network on Independent Living which organized the march.
From all over the world! The group from Lithuania
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Quebec and Japan activists came all the way to Brussels
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
From Greece Kamil Goungor, on the right, Policy Officer of the European Network on Independent Living and travel blogger
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
No to separating people with disabilities from society: yes to building an inclusive society where everyone participates
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
From the UK and Belgium with all means of transport (and a fashionable mascotte too)
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
This is what it feels like to lose independence
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Strong moment of the demonstration in front of the European Social and Economic Committee.
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
From Norway: the meaning of life
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Arriving at the European Parliament strong and loud
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
Even the rain did not stop the march
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
The march ended with speeches under a cover and continued with a public hearing at the Parliament and a full day of conferences the following day.
A piece of the Destination Everywhere team, we are a company dedicated to promoting tourism for people with disabilities and we were super happy to be part of this
Image credits: Enrica Laneri
A big thank you to Enrica Laneri for the wonderful photos!