The mobility and integration of people with disabilities into the labour market

The study assesses the situation of people with disabilities within the European Union and the impact of the measures used to increase their employment. People with disabilities face low employment rates, a high dependency on benefits as well as increased poverty risk. Two types of measures exist to reinforce the social inclusion of disabled people: passive measures (cash benefits) and active measures (active labour market policies). Non-discrimination legislation and policy play an important part within the integration process of the European Union. It is argued that there is a need for an effective implementation and enforcement of the principle of non-discrimination. In addition, disability should be addressed from a broader scope by focusing on remaining or partial work capacity rather than work incapacity. Therefore, a right balance between flexibility on the one hand and security on the other hand is needed. The objective of promoting independent living for disabled people should be included as an explicit priority in the next Disability Action Plan.