People with disabilities

Overview

It is estimated that 16% of the working age population in the EU has some form of a permanent or temporary disability. The complexity of this group stems from the fact that disabilities are extremely diverse and are not fixed characteristic of individuals  (OECD, 2014). People with disabilities face many barriers in the labour market, and employer discrimination is frequently reported. It is the self-employment which can enable them an easier entry into the labour market, flexibility in terms of workload, work schedule and location.  The traditional business support programmes are rarely targeting people with disabilities. Business support organisations should ensure that their entire process and information meet the universal accessibility requirements, which will allow people with disabilities to participate on equal terms with others.