As the lack of confidence caused by global financial crisis feeds into the general economic system, it is vital that poor, elderly and disabled people and their families in Europe do not pay for the crisis, lobby group the European Disability Forum (EDF) said in a message to European Union institutions and governments of Europe.

In a statement on November 16 2008, the EDF, which describes itself as the voice of more than 50 million European people with disabilities, called on the European Council,  Commission and Parliament and other European institutions and all the governments of Europe to ensure that disabled people and their families “do not pay for the worldwide economic crisis by the reduction in their income, benefits, employment opportunities or in cuts in support to our representative organisations”.

The EDF said that the crisis was caused by the irresponsible lending and unacceptable negligence by those in charge of the financial institutions and regulatory bodies of the world.

Governments’ response to the “credit crunch” has been to create financial resources to bail out the banks.

“Now as this lack of confidence feeds its way into the general economic system it is vital that poor, elderly and disabled people and their families of Europe do not pay for this crisis,” the EDF said.

“We, already in a precarious position prior to the crisis, therefore call for a reflationary approach to spend more on investment in accessible infra structure, on benefits and the provision of tax relief, so that these groups can buy goods and services so improving the economic situation.”

The EDF said that the world, through the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, had only just recognised the urgent need to extend the international human rights law framework to disabled people.

“Society cannot afford to dilute its commitment to human rights including the right to employment and family life.

“Traditionally disabled people have been the ‘reserve army of labour’, ’the last to be hired the first to be fired’, seen as expendable at times of economic crisis,” the EDF said.

Disabled People, their families, the unemployed and the poor could not become the scapegoat for a crisis not of their making.

“Already the worsening economic position has led to attempts to cut benefits in many countries such as Ireland, Hungary, Sweden and Italy.”

The lesson of this crisis - the value of investing in people - is far more important than speculative investment and it benefits the whole of society and strengthens its resistance to such crisis driven changes, the EDF said.

“If the gap between the disadvantaged and the wealthy widens, it will cost society more in the long run.”

The EDF said that it would ensure the equality and rights of disabled people come to the top of the political agenda in the forthcoming European Elections.

“Cutbacks and mass unemployment will develop a fertile ground for violence, hate crime, undermine solidarity and produce dangerous attitudes for democracy. We call on all those with political and economic decision making responsibility to do all they can to ensure that disabled and poor people are treated with equality and their economic well being is assured by the measures they take at this time.”

The EDF said that it was time for “strong action” so that in 2010, European Anti Poverty Year, disabled people and other disadvantaged groups do not again come to the top of the agenda.