Access to the labour market and social protection for people with disabilities

Across the globe, around 1.3 billion of people experience significant disability. This figure has grown over the last decade and projections suggest that it will continue to rise due to several factors, including population growth.

Studies and data have shown how individuals with disabilities are more likely to face persistent disadvantage in all aspects of society, but notable when it comes to labour market participation or social protection.

Unfortunately, despite policymakers awareness, the situation did not significantly improve since the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) has regularly raised concerns about the high unemployment rates of people with disabilities in the European Union but also countries which have ratified the CRPD. However, rights of people with disabilities to work and fully participate in society is enshrined in the UN CRPD, which has been ratified by all EU Member States as well as non-EU countries.