During the last few years, ENIL Youth, as young activists for the rights of persons with disabilities, followed the announcements made by various groups on the International Youth Day. We noticed that these messages reflect the current political and official goals of various institutions. These goals are justified, but they are not easy to achieve. There is always a gap between the current status of young people and the desired one. As for young people with disabilities, this gap is greater, depending on the social and economic situation of each country and society's desire to prevent discrimination, combat stereotypes and campaign against prejudice.

We are all aware of this, but for this International Youth Day, we would like to focus on things that are important to young people with disabilities and thoughts that we would like to share with everyone. We recently asked the members of the ENIL youth network the following three questions:

• What would you like young people who are not disabled to know about you and your life?
• What assumptions do young people without disabilities have about you and your community?
• What are your hopes for the future?

Young people with disabilities, from several European countries, provided interesting insights and perspectives. One thing that respondents felt that young people without disabilities should know is that there is a common assumption that people with disabilities are different, and that others know what they can (or more often) not do. For example, work, have sex, drive a car, etc. – and that when we do any of these things, we are “sooo inspiring”. From our perspective, this is not the case. One respondent from Serbia said: “I can do all or almost all the things that my peers without disabilities do, in my own way or in the same way, when I am given help and support.”

Young people with disabilities want others to know that their lives are not as tragic and dramatic as people without disabilities think, but "normal". As another young man from Serbia said: "Life with a disability does not mean hardship and suffering. Our lives can be full and happy, and having a disability is not a tragic thing."

However, young people with disabilities face many challenges. “I have to work twice as hard for equal recognition. Most days I face prejudice, discrimination and degrading attitudes,” said a young woman from Norway, “but not because of my disability, but because of the barriers that exist in our society,” added a young woman from Montenegro. This reflection, that it is the obstacles and attitudes that actually make it impossible, is a common theme.

As for hopes, we hope to live in societies without barriers and prejudices, where the social model of access to disability is a reality and we are equally represented in media and politics in the future. That there will be no segregation in education and employment between persons without disabilities and persons with disabilities, and that we will foster mutual solidarity. Ultimately, we hope that everyone will receive the support they need to lead independent, fulfilling and happy lives.

Despite our differences, we have much in common. The hopes, desires and messages of young people with disabilities are similar to those of other young people. The reason we wanted to share these questions and these perspectives is to promote understanding and strengthen solidarity among all. Imagine what we could do together, sharing, reflecting and supporting each other.

ENIL Youth Network Board

Translated by: Dina Bajrektarević. Information Center for Persons with Disabilities "Lotos"