"Thank you for the opportunity to speak at this historic Parliament and for the opportunity to support the work being done by the European Disability Forum.

The draft resolution and manifesto are both good building blocks that we can use to shape the campaign for the mainstreaming of disability issues, for stronger and more comprehensive legislation and for a legally binding UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities.

The Year of People with Disabilities is about raising awareness of the problems and discrimination that people with disabilities face but it is also about celebrating the talents of people with disabilities. It is about seeing the person not the disability and changing attitudes. It is about human rights, about individuals and groups of people with disabilities representing themselves, as is happening here today, and participating fully in society at all levels.

That's why it is so important that this conference is taking place. We have had many European theme years and many linked activities, but they have not always had a long term impact. It is vital that this year does have that impact and I hope that this meeting will ensure that happens.

We are here to talk about working together - exchanging ideas and experiences at local, regional, national and European levels as well as coordination between government, voluntary groups and communities.

I know that in my constituency in Wales there is now much greater awareness. More than 30 voluntary Access Groups now operate throughout the country ensuring that disabled people are involved in shaping their environments and promoting access in their areas. In my own local authority area of Rhondda Cynon Taff a multi agency forum has been set up which brings together people with disabilities, carers and decision makers on a regular basis and they work on a programme to ensure that the authority's services develop in the right direction. I have also seen some brilliant examples of projects set up under the European EQUAL funding programme. These are the kinds of examples we need to share with each other.

So the European Year of People with Disabilities must be a springboard for the future not a one off event. With the European elections coming up next year we must, as this draft resolution states, ensure full accessibility for people with disabilities in terms of policies and campaigns, as voters and as candidates. All politicians and all parties must commit themselves to address and act upon the diverse needs of all people and put disability much higher up on the political agenda.

I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to speak and listen to the debate. I can promise you my support for the manifesto."