The European Union could be getting a new tool that will make travel easier for travelers with disabilities. The European Commission has issued a directive that would create a uniform ID and parking pass that would be valid across the EU.
The Commission is the EU’s executive body, and the proposed directive must still be approved by the EU Council and European Parliament but the proposal appears to be headed for easy approval.
At present, such identification is issued by each member state, often in formats that are not clear to authorities in other countries. The new standard form would guarantee equal treatment to free and/or priority access, reduced fares or personal assistance, when beneficiaries visit other EU countries. Each country would still determine what facilities and services it offers to its own citizens and visitors.
The directive presented stipulates that Member States must provide cards in both physical and digital versions, make the conditions and rules for issuing or withdrawing cards available to the public and ensure that service providers provide information on special conditions and preferential treatment for people with disabilities, in an accessible format.
