Outstanding Achievement
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has nominated East of England MEP (Member of the European Parliament) Richard Howitt for an outstanding achievement award in recognition of his significant contribution to the advancement of disability rights over the last two decades.
The award is one of the MEP Awards 2009/2010, organised by the 'Parliament Magazine' in Brussels. RNIB, the UK's leading charity supporting blind and partially sighted people, nominated Richard Howitt for his work to strengthen the rights of disabled people across Europe.
European Parliament Disability Intergroup
From 1994 to 2009 Richard Howitt was President of the European Parliament Disability Intergroup, playing a key role in all major legislative advances in this field.
Under his watch key achievements included a directive prohibiting discrimination in employment practices, the inclusion of an anti-discrimination clause in European treaties, work to highlight the importance of free post for blind people, and numerous amendments to EU legislation granting new rights for disabled people across the European Union.
RNIB Chair, Kevin Carey, says: "Richard Howitt has played a major role in championing disability rights for over two decades and has done a great deal to raise the profile of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people. His leadership in the European Parliament has made a difference to the lives of millions of disabled people, not just his constituents in the East of England, but across Europe. RNIB's nomination is recognition of his commitment to disability rights, which we know remains as strong as ever."
The award winners are announced at a ceremony in Brussels on 29 September. For more information about the MEP Awards visit http://design1.dods.co.uk/mepawards2010.
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For further information, or to arrange a media interview with an RNIB spokesperson please contact RNIB Media Relations Team on 020 7391 2223 or email pressoffice@rnib.org.uk. Out of hours please call 07968 482812.
Note to editors:
About RNIB
Every day another 100 people in the UK will start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. The charity also campaigns at local, UK, EU and a global level to improve the rights of blind and partially sighted people. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.
Richard Howitt MEP
The Disability Intergroup (DI) is the all party parliamentary group in the European Parliament. Richard Howitt MEP was President of the group from 1994 to 2009. He stepped down as President after the European Elections in 2009, but remains involved as Vice-President. The DI has members from all 27 EU countries and is currently chaired by Ádám KÓSA, a deaf Hungarian MEP. For more information on the DI visit http://www.disabilityintergroup.eu
MEP Awards
The MEP awards are organised by the Parliament Magazine in Brussels. Nominations are made by European trade and professional associations and interest groups working in sector-specific areas. For more information: http://bit.ly/dCmt0Z