Disability and chronic disease
3 September 2020
As the EU’s population is ageing, the number of those with disabilities is rising.Read more
As the EU’s population is ageing, the number of those with disabilities is rising. For the many Europeans with a disability or chronic disease, there are many obstacles that prevent them from participating fully in everyday life, and access to the labour market remains one of the main challenges. Promoting the active inclusion and rights of these people in society is a priority for the EU agenda.
Read lessRecent updates
How to use the surge in teleworking as a real chance to include people with disabilities
Just one in three workers with limiting chronic disease in adapted workplace
How to respond to chronic health problems in the workplace?
EU context
TopThe EU’s Disability Strategy 2010–2020 aims to reduce barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in society on an equal basis.Read more
The EU’s Disability Strategy 2010–2020 aims to reduce barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in society on an equal basis. It identifies eight main areas where action needs to be taken: accessibility, participation, equality, employment, education and training, social protection, health and external action. In February 2017, the Commission published a progress report on the implementation of the strategy up to 2016 and highlighted some of the main achievements so far.
In November 2017, the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission formally proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights, which reflects a joint commitment to providing a healthy, safe and well-adapted work environment for workers in the EU. It emphasises the right to equal treatment and opportunities regarding employment, social protection, education, and access to goods and services available to the public, regardless of disability.
- European Commission: EU launches Disability Strategy 2010–2020
- European Commission: The European Pillar of Social Rights in 20 principles
- European Commission: Persons with disabilities
- European Commission: Progress Report on the implementation of the European Disability Strategy (2010–2020)
Research
TopA recent Eurofound report on employment opportunities for economically inactive people examines groups within the inactive population that find it difficult to enter or re-enter the labour market and explores the reasons why.Read more
A recent Eurofound report on employment opportunities for economically inactive people examines groups within the inactive population that find it difficult to enter or re-enter the labour market and explores the reasons why. It maps the characteristics and living conditions of these groups, discusses their willingness to work and examines the barriers that prevent them from doing so.
An earlier study on employment opportunities for people with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and mental health problems in the EU Member States and Norway. People with a chronic disease may have a reduced working capacity and experience difficulty staying at or returning to work. The report looks at the prevalence of people suffering from chronic diseases, their employment situation, uneven distribution among occupations and sectors, and working conditions. It looks at policies and measures adopted by governments, social partners and enterprises to improve employment prospects and working conditions of people with chronic diseases.
Eurofound research has examined the situation of young people with disabilities or health problems, a group that faces particular difficulties in accessing employment. The research was carried out in 11 Member States and at EU level, with an emphasis on assessing the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level. As well as an overview report, national reports for Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and the UK are available.
Read lessKey outputs over the years
Publications & data
TopThe sections below provide access to a range of publications, data and ongoing work on this topic.
- Publications (47)
- Data
- Ongoing work (1)
Publications
Eurofound publications come in a variety of formats, including reports, policy briefs, blogs, articles and presentations.
How to use the surge in teleworking as a real chance to include people with disabilities
Блог 17 August 2020Promoting independent living and participation in society for people with disabilities
Event 6 March 2019Some improvements in the lives of people with disabilities but disadvantage remains
News 3 December 2018Burnout in the workplace: A review of data and policy responses in the EU
Publication 10 September 2018Data
A selection of related data on this topic are linked below.
- Data: Educational attainment of people with and without disabilities
- Data: Employment differences between people with and without disabilities
- Data: Use of medical services and difficulties paying medical expenses
- Data: Life satisfaction among people with and without disabilities
- Data: European Quality of Life Survey 2016 - Data visualisation
Ongoing work
Research continues in this topic on a variety of themes, which are outlined below with links to forthcoming titles.
Other ongoing work
- Examining services for labour market integration of people with disabilities based on data from the 4th EQLS to support policymaking in designing relevant and efficient services
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