Inclusion of persons with disabilities

On 2 December, the Employment and Social Affairs Council adopted Conclusions on fostering social inclusion of persons with disabilities through employment, reasonable accommodation and rehabilitation. The Council points out that the employment gap of persons with and without disabilities in the EU was 21.5 pp in 2023, compared to 22.7 pp in 2014 (see press release). The conclusions call on Member States to adopt “measures, including the setting of qualitative or quantitative national targets, for increasing the employment rate of persons with disabilities in order to reduce the gap between the employment rates of persons with and without disabilities”. They are also urged to promote “the employment of persons with disabilities in an inclusive open labour market by fostering equal treatment and supporting the possibility of and opportunities for taking advantage of flexible working arrangements (such as flexible working hours, part-time employment, teleworking, project-based employment or even job-sharing) that provide personalised working conditions and flexibility, with the involvement of social partners while respecting their autonomy”. For its part, the Commission is asked to “consider launching actions aiming to help employers better understand and accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities in order to ensure their participation and inclusion”.