Imagine knocking on door after door looking for a job, and being rejected; not because of a lack of qualifications, but because he has a disability. Imagine needing to go to the doctor, get to school or take the bus to work, and discovering that access to these basic services were designed for everyone… except you. For millions of people with disabilities across the European Union, this is not fiction – it is everyday reality.
Too many people with disabilities continue to be left behind – in accessing decent work, in participating in public life, in the very services that should support and protect all citizens.
Access to quality employment continues to be one of the biggest obstacles. It is shocking that only 47.4% of young people with disabilities are employed – a 20 percentage point difference compared to their non-disabled peers. This is not just a number. It is the difference between inclusion and isolation, between independence and poverty.
More than 28% of people with disabilities live at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This is unacceptable and avoidable. A job represents more than a salary. It is synonymous with dignity, autonomy and the right to fully belong to society.
The challenges don’t stop there. For many, access to healthcare remains limited. Opportunities to access higher education and training remain scarce. Affordable housing is insufficient across the EU. Despite some accessibility improvements, transport laws continue to fail, making every journey a real battle.
For women with disabilities, these difficulties are compounded. They face multiple forms of discrimination: higher unemployment rates, lower wages, alarming levels of violence and increased obstacles to accessing healthcare.
The European Union – and each one of us – must do more, and better! The path forward requires concrete and ambitious measures. There is an urgent need to reduce employment inequality by ensuring simpler access to opportunities through targeted support programs, including tailored training, and ensuring reasonable accommodations in workplaces. People with disabilities must have guaranteed access to health, education and housing, through updated legislation and adequate financing for inclusive services that respond to real needs. Transport policies must be urgently reviewed to eliminate persistent barriers and ensure full mobility for all. These are the pillars of true integration and authentic independence.
Furthermore, reducing the risk of poverty requires social protection systems that are inclusive and capable of responding to the needs of people with disabilities. Gender-specific discrimination must be tackled decisively, with resources dedicated to the protection and empowerment of women with disabilities.
Inclusion is not charity, it is justice. Today, December 3rd, as we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the PSD and the PPE Group renew their commitment to
transform these objectives into concrete actions, through effective policies and firm political will.
The time to act is now. For dignity. For equality. For a future where no one is left behind. Because living with dignity and independence is not a privilege – it is a right.