Principle 17
Inclusion of people with disabilities
"People with disabilities have the right to income support that ensures living in dignity, services that enable them to participate in the labour market and in society, and a work environment adapted to their needs."
Inclusion of persons with disabilities as a determinant of health
People with disabilities face persistent barriers to community participation, employment, housing, and healthcare, leading to higher unmet health needs and greater exposure to poverty.
From a public health and equity perspective, the exclusion of persons with disabilities from employment, education, and community life drives avoidable health inequalities, increases chronic stress and poverty risk, and limits access to essential prevention and care.
Addressing these barriers is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities, strengthening social participation, and building healthier, more resilient and inclusive communities across Europe.
What does the EPSR Action Plan say?
The EPSR Action Plan sets out concrete commitments to guarantee accessibility, equal rights, independent living, and full participation for persons with disabilities, including equal access to employment, education, and essential services such as health.
The Plan sets out three key goals for EU Member States:
Increase employment to 78% by 2030, ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access to quality jobs, reasonable accommodation, and healthy, inclusive workplaces that support wellbeing.
Raise adult participation in training to 60%, making lifelong learning systems accessible and supportive so that persons with disabilities can build skills, improve health literacy, and participate fully in society.
Reduce the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million, with a strong focus on groups facing persistent disadvantage, including persons with disabilities, to improve living conditions and reduce health inequities.
The European Commission adopted the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 in March 2021, which complements these goals by setting out concrete actions for Member States.
What does the EU Disability Rights Strategy add?
- Improve accessibility of healthcare, social services, transport, digital tools, and the built environment.
- Strengthen independent living and community-based services.
- Combat discrimination, violence, and barriers in accessing essential services.
- Enhance participation in education, employment, culture, sports, and community life.
- Implement the European Disability Card and improve cross-border recognition of disability status.
Where are we now?
The Social Scoreboard measures progress on the principles of the EPSR. Linked to Principle 17, the Scoreboard outlines that in the EU in 2024:
23.9% of people aged 16+ in the EU report a long-standing activity limitation due to health problems.
28.8% of persons with disabilities are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared with 17.9% of those without disabilities.
The disability employment gap is around 24 percentage points across the EU.
45.0% of unemployed people aged 15 to 64 years in the EU with a severe disability were long-term unemployed.
Persons with disabilities participate substantially less in cultural, leisure, and social activities, increasing risks of social isolation and poorer mental health.
Adults with disabilities are less likely to attain tertiary education, contributing to lower income, poorer job security, and poorer long-term health prospects.
Only 52% of persons with severe disabilities use the internet daily, compared with 78% of those without disabilities.
What are public health actors doing?
The following actions taken by public health actors at (sub)national level can support the implementation of EPSR principle 17.
EU tools that help implement Principle 17
There are that can help relevant actors in the field, including public health, to work together to achieve EPSR Principle 17 on the inclusion of people with disabilities.
More information about the EU institutions and programmes is available on EuroHealthNet's Health Inequalities Portal.
The EU is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities can participate fully and equally in society, in line with a human rights–based approach to disability. The Charter of Fundamental Rights consolidates the key rights that must be upheld across the EU, grouped under six areas: dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens’ rights, and justice. First proclaimed in 2000, the Charter became legally binding with the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. It explicitly prohibits discrimination based on disability and affirms the right of persons with disabilities to inclusion and participation in society.
Available resources
For more supportive policy instruments on the topic, consult our other flashcards and policy precis:
- Principle 1 Education, training and life-long learning
- Principle 3 Equal opportunities
- Principle 4 Active support to employment
- Principle 10 Healthy, safe, and well-adapted work environments, and data protection
- Principle 16 Healthcare
- Principle 18 Long-term care
- Principle 20 Access to essential services
More information about the EU institutions and programmes is available on EuroHealthNet’s Health Inequalities Portal.
Have your say
Would you like to share promising policies or practices carried out by your public health institute, which support the implementation of this EPSR principle?
Feel free to reach out to our EuroHealthNet colleague Silvia Ganzerla.
What's next?
About EuroHealthNet
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EuroHealthNet is the Partnership of public health agencies and organisations building a healthier future for all by addressing the determinants of health and reducing inequalities. Our focus is on preventing disease and promoting good health by looking within and beyond the health system.
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