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02/2010
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MEP Ádám Kósa speaks to Independent Living News!

Hungarian lawyer, Ádám Kósa, is the first deaf person and sign language user to be elected to the European Parliament. On top of this success in June 2009, he has also recently been nominated as President of the European Parliament's Disability Intergroup. The re-established Intergroup was launched with a New Year's Cocktail in Brussels on the 27th of January. At the launch, the Intergroup also presented the Disability Pact for 2011 - 2021, proposed by the European Disability Forum (EDF). MEP Ádám Kósa has answered the following questions for readers of Independent Living News!

What made you decide to pursue politics?

In January 2009, the Hungarian EPP- ED Group asked me if I would accept to be a candidate to the European Parliament or not. After a short pondering, I decided that this opportunity could not be missed in the name of the Hungarian community of disabled persons. But apart from this, my only aim has always been to represent disabled people (and of course, the deaf community) according to my best knowledge.

What has been the biggest challenge for you as a deaf person in your career?

To finish university!

How did it feel to be the first person to address the European Parliament in sign language?

It was great and as it was historical in its own way, it made me think over my life.

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