Overview

Status

Closed

Start
1 March 2022

End
31 August 2023

Type: Cross-border prevention and preparedness and marine pollution (Track 2)

EU contribution amount: EUR 312 642.44 (EU contribution )

Contact email: ECHO-CP-KNOWLEDGE-NETWORK-PLATFORM@ec.europa.eu

Description

The Safe and Equal in EMErgencies (SEE ME) project aims to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to opportunities in emergency situations.

Despite the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and the 2010-20 European Disability Strategy, persons with disabilities face inadequate access to rescue in emergency situations. This results from a lack of common standards in their protection and rescue, and their right to equal access and opportunities in emergencies is often neglected. Persons with disabilities are excluded from decision-making in the emergency planning and management process, and first responders are not trained to rescue and protect different disability groups. These barriers exacerbate the vulnerability of an already vulnerable group in society.

SEE ME aims to improve the safety of persons with disabilities and ensure they have equality in emergencies by: raising awareness to equal rights in emergencies; analysing gaps and needs in the protection and rescue of persons with disabilities; collecting and exchanging best practices, expertise and planning; and developing guidelines and protocols related to assistance, protection and rescue of persons with disabilities. The project also advocates for persons with disabilities to play an active role in civil protection prevention and in planning activities.