Disability

Persons with disabilities represent almost the sixth part of the European population having a working age. However, the employment rate among them is, in comparison, very low. Because of this, the unemployment among persons with handicap is double towards the unemployment registered among the other categories of active population. If they were to benefit from more support, millions of European people with handicap would be able to integrate themselves or reintegrate on the labor market.

 
The Lisbon strategy for labor force increase and occupation has proposed itself to improve the low level of the participation of persons with handicap on the labor market.

Starting on the guidance provided by the European Strategy for labor force occupation, the member states elaborate their own policies in the field. They transmit to the European Commission annual reports regarding the national initiatives in the field of labor force occupation, including the initiatives designated to persons with handicap.

The EU policies in the field of protection and social inclusion support member states in the elaboration of policies in the field of social inclusion, medical assistance and social services, offering to the persons with handicap more opportunities to find and maintain a job.