HELIOS II: ESC opinion on Community action programme to assist disabled people
An opinion of the Economic and Social Committee of 29 January 1992 concerns the Commission's proposal for a Council Decision establishing a third Community action programme to assist disabled people (HELIOS II, 1992-1996). The Committee welcomes the proposal. HELIOS II sets out to devise common approaches in a wide variety of fields such as prevention and early assistance, functional rehabilitation, integration into the educational system, training and vocational guidance, employment, new technologies, technical aids and databases, independent living, access to cultural, sport, leisure and tourism activities, family life, the elderly, and social, legal and economic protection. Three interactive aspects will be pursued: Technical cooperation (particularly at local level), HANDYNET (the EC computerized information system on disability questions) and consultation (the establishment of structures). Inter alia, the Committee emphasizes the need to focus on integration and stresses that there should be early reassurance that HELIOS will continue to be supported after 31 December 1996. The Committee would also approve of greater emphasis on the areas of information and awareness raising, and applied research, monitoring and evaluation.