Persons with disabilities are systematically excluded from the scope of important pieces of legislation (such as the Audio-visual Directive – where only the progressive realization of accessibility requirements is provided) while recently the audio-visual sector was discussed in the framework of the Accessibility Act. Τhe integrity of the creative freedom has been a strong argument for exponents of accessibility integration in art and culture. This initiative would highlight already existing practices and digital tools that could boost cultural accessibility for persons with disabilities and learning difficulties.

GUE/NGL CULT Initiative

Perspectives on the cultural accessibility of persons with disabilities and learning difficulties

TIMING: 08.30 – 11.00
Date: 10.10.2019
Location:  ASP 1G2
Detailed programme:

08:30- 09:00 – REGISTRATION – Entrance of the Participants to the building of the European Parliament
09:00 – 09:05 – OPENING
Alexis Georgoulis, Member of the European Parliament, GUE/NGL
09:05 – 09:55 – SESSION 1 – LEGAL DIMENSION OF ACCESSIBILITY IN CULTURE: THE AUDIO-VISUAL DIRECTIVE AND THE ACCESSIBILITY ACT
Panel Chair (GUE/NGL MEP)

09:05 – 09:15 – Presentation of the notion of accessibility in international and European legal instruments
Dr. Dr.h.c. Paraskevi (Paroula) Naskou – Perraki, Professor of International Law and International Organizations, President of the Institute for Balkan Studies

09:15 – 09:25 Accessible culture from a policymaking perspective
Nicholas Yatromanolakis, General Secretary of Contemporary Culture, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports

09:25 – 09:35 – Enhanced EU rules on accessibility of audiovisual content
Lara Orlandi, Policy Officer, European Commission, DG CONNECT, Unit I1 – Audiovisual & Media Services Policy.

09:35 – 09:45 – The negotiation of the Directives: The outcome for the persons with disabilities
Alejandro Moledo, Policy Coordinator, European Disability Forum (EDF)

09:45 – 09:55 – Creative Industries’ Perspective
Julie Lenoir, Junior EU Policy Adviser, European Broadcasters Union (EBU) Legal & Policy

09:55 – 11:00 – SESSION 2 – GOOD PRACTICES FROM THE SECTOR OF CULTURE
Panel Chair (GUE/NGL MEP)

09:55 – 10:05 – Securing Democratic Participation of all Citizens in European Culture
Dr Pilar Orero, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

10:05 – 10:15 – On the Social Rights of Disabled Artists
Antonis Rellas, Director, disabled artist, Movement of Disabled Artists, Movement for the Emancipation of Disabled People

10:15 – 10:25 – Α Holistic Approach to Accessible Arts
Emmanouella Patiniotaki, Researcher, Academic, AVT Practitioner, Movement of Disabled Artists, Movement for the Emancipation of Disabled People

10:25 – 10:35 – Good practices in contemporary creation spaces
Monika Tsiliberdi, Head of the Directorate for the Development of Contemporary Creation, Directorate General for Contemporary Culture, Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports

10:35 – 10:55 – Disability in art and culture: tackling perceptions – Emotive Storytelling
Katerina Vrana, Stand-Up Comedian
Antonis Tsapatakis, Paralympic Champion

10:55- 11:00 Q&Α
Participants’ questions