Boosting accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities

The Commission has presented an ambitious social plan to promote the rights of persons with disabilities across the EU.

According to Eurostat, 90 million Europeans live with a disability. Achieving full inclusion is therefore imperative – not only to ensure their rights are respected, but also to boost Europe's economy and democracy. However, many barriers still exist for persons with disabilities

• only 55% are employed, compared with 77% of persons without a disability
• 1.4 million still live in institutional settings
• 1 in 3 are at risk of poverty, nearly double the EU average

To ensure the rights of socio-economically vulnerable people are safeguarded and fully realised in every aspect of life, more action needs to be taken. To this end, the Commission is updating the 2021-2030 strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities and stepping up its efforts with new initiatives, including 

• the EU-wide rollout of the European Disability Card and Parking Card
• launching an Alliance for Independent Living to replace institutions with community-based support
• improving transport accessibility
• investing in assistive technologies such as AI tools

The new social plan also includes the first-ever EU anti-poverty strategy, a proposal for a Council Recommendation on fighting housing exclusion, and a communication on breaking the cycle of child poverty.

The updated strategy is a renewed commitment that responds to new needs and challenges that have emerged since its presentation in 2021. It also takes into account recommendations from the United Nations and calls from persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, the European Parliament, and the European Economic and Social Committee. It is part of the EU's broader Union of Equality objectives.

For more information

Press release

Factsheet

Questions and answers

Equality and inclusion

European social fairness