Academic network of European disability experts (ANED)
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  • Centre for Disability Studies University of Leeds

Welcome to ANED easy-to-read

The Academic Network of European Disability experts (ANED) was created by the European Commission in December 2007. ANED will establish and maintain a pan-European academic network in the disability field to support policy development in collaboration with the Commission's Disability Unit. Its philosophy and aims support the objectives of European disability policy towards the goal of full participation and equal opportunities for all disabled people.
 
ANED builds upon the expertise of existing disability research centres and national networks, supported by contacts in each country, expert rapporteurs in specific themes, and links to other policy and research networks. In this way, it provides a co-ordinating infrastructure of academic support for practical implementation of the European Disability Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Europe.
 
The Network is managed by Human European Consultancy (NL) in partnership with the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (UK).

Linking European and national disability strategies

Professor Mark Priestley (ANED Scientific Director)discussed the lessons learned from ANED’s monitoring of the EU Open Methods of Co-ordination (OMCs).

It is widely accepted that the new European Disability Strategy requires a more co-ordinated policy implementation model than the previous Disability Action Plans. The model for co-ordination needs to be consistent with developments in Europe 2020 and UN Convention processes (it should support them but not duplicate them). Any new arrangements must be politically and technically feasible within the existing structures and institutions.

European Commission Emphasises value of ANED

On 11 November 2011 ANED held its Fourth Annual General Meeting (the last for the 2008-2011 work programme) in Brussels, bringing together its academic members from the EU/EEA Member States with representatives from the Commission staff and key invited guests. The annual meeting provides an important opportunity for members to share expertise, to exchange ideas and to consider the future work programme of the Network. 

ANED Reports

ANED Activity reports:

2010 ANED activity report EN DE FR

2009 ANED activity report EN DE FR

2008 ANED activity report EN DE FR

Reports published by the ANED  network are available on the following themes:

EU law and Policy

Data and indicators

Monitoring rights

Employment

Social inclusion

Independent living

Education and training

Benefits / Entitlements

ANED 2011 priorities and workplan

The European Commission allocated funding for ANED for four years. 2011 is the fourth and final year of the current contract. During  this year the Network will continue working on the following themes: EU law and policy (updating and detailing the mapping of EU law and policy instruments), Data and indicators (providing comparative data on a number of quantitative implementation indicators), Employment and Social Protection / Social Inclusion (reviewing the 2011 National Reform Programmes for Growth and Jobs).

As part of the EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020, a new and significant task for this year is the development and piloting of an online tool to identify the implementation of national policy instruments required by the UN Convention.  In November, a final conference will be organised for the network members and other key stakeholders.

Go to the European Commission - Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities This initiative is financed by the EC Programme Progress. But the views expressed in this website do not necessarily reflect the official views of the EU institutions.