European Protest Day for the Equal Rights of People with Disabilities – Inclusion is a Right, Not a Favour

Every year on 5 May, people across Europe come together to raise their voices on the European Protest Day for the Equal Rights of People with Disabilities. It is a day to make visible what too often remains invisible: the exclusion, barriers, and inequalities that many people with disabilities still face in their everyday lives and the collective power to change that. This protest day is not just about demands; it is a movement for dignity, justice, and the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of life. From education and employment to sport, culture, and public life.

In Germany, Aktion Mensch are leading a powerful awareness campaign under the motto “Zukunft barrierefrei gestalten” ("Shaping a barrier-free future"). The campaign highlights what is possible when society commits to accessibility, inclusion, and equal rights — and what is still urgently needed to get there.

At FIM, we stand with this movement. Our daily work is dedicated to building inclusive spaces in sports, education, and community, where everyone, with and without disabilities, can thrive. Because inclusion is not a side project. It is a human right.

Why This Day Matters

• Over 100 million people in Europe live with a disability.

• Many still encounter physical, social, and systemic barriers.

• Accessibility and participation must be guaranteed. Not negotiated.

What You Can Do

• Speak up for inclusion in your community.

• Support organisations that promote accessibility and equal opportunities.

• Educate yourself and others; and listen to the voices of people with lived experience.

• Learn more about the movement and the current campaign on aktion-mensch.de.

Together, we can build a world that leaves no one behind.