Press Release: Diamantopoulou earmarks 2003 as European Year of Disabled People. Poll shows EU citizens want more done to integrate those with disabilities

On 30 May 2001, the European Commission adopted a proposal to establish 2003 as the European Year of People with Disabilities. An EU-wide Eurobarometer survey on attitudes towards disabled people showed that over 97% of EU citizens think more could be done to better integrate them into society and that three out of every five EU citizens is personally acquainted with at least one disabled person.