A report examined measures taken by companies in Europe to support employees with care responsibilities for disabled children or adults. It concluded that: raising awareness was particularly important; effective approaches combined measures that targeted working carers with measures that the entire workforce could avail themselves of; line managers had a pivotal role to play in supporting working carers; and it was possible to create solutions that either avoided the need for employees to leave the job, or enabled them to return to work.
Source: Kevin Cullen and Karsten Gareis, Company Initiatives for Workers with Care Responsibilities for Disabled Children or Adults, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Links: Report | Summary | Bibliography
Date: 2011-Nov
A report said that hate crimes continued to be a serious problem across Europe – with numerous instances in 2010 of intimidation, threats, vandalism, arson, assault, and murder, targeting individuals or groups because of their ethnicity, religion, or other status.
Source: Hate Crimes in the OSCE Region: Incidents and responses, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Links: Report | OSCE press release
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the impact of living arrangements and deinstitutionalization in the health status of people with intellectual disability in Europe. Extensive national health surveys and epidemiological studies were urgently needed in order to reduce increased morbidity rates among the population concerned.
Source: Rafael Mart nez-Leal et al., 'The impact of living arrangements and deinstitutionalisation in the health status of persons with intellectual disability in Europe', Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Volume 55 Issue 9
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
A report provided an overview of the situation of children with intellectual disabilities in 22 European countries, with a particular focus on five areas: protection against abuse, family support and (de-)institutionalization, health, education, and participation. It recommended a range of steps to be taken to remove barriers to their inclusion.
Source: Camille Latimier and Jan Siska, Children s Rights for All! Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for children with intellectual disabilities, Inclusion Europe
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Oct
A report said that people with disabilities had poor access to the labour market and services in Europe, and called for their rights to be strengthened. Improving their life chances would benefit both society and the economy.
Source: Adam Kosa, Report on Mobility and Inclusion of People with Disabilities and the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs/European Parliament
Links: Report | European Parliament press release
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined the approach to disability adopted by the Common European Asylum System, and the barriers encountered by persons with disabilities seeking refuge in the European Union.
Source: Clara Straimer, 'Between protection and assistance: is there refuge for asylum seekers with disabilities in Europe?', Disability & Society, Volume 26 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
The European Union published a policy statement on disability. It called on member states to closely consult with, and actively involve, disabled people in the development of legislation and policies when implementing the United Nations Convention. It asked the European Commission to mainstream a disability perspective in the context of all actions that supported the Europe 2020 strategy.
Source: Support of the Implementation of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, European Union
Links: Statement
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined the implications of a European Court of Justice ruling in 2008 to the effect that the European Union directive prohibiting discrimination based on disabilities applied when the direct victim of discrimination was a person associated with the disabled person, such as a parent who was the primary carer for a disabled child.
Source: Ann Stewart, Silvia Niccolai, and Catherine Hoskyns, 'Disability discrimination by association: a case of the double yes?', Social and Legal Studies, Volume 20 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined the assistive technology content of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities from a basic human rights perspective, in order to clarify its limitations and opportunities for formulation of policies and implementation strategies.
Source: Johan Borg, Stig Larsson, and Per-Olof Ostergren, 'The right to assistive technology: for whom, for what, and by whom?', Disability & Society, Volume 26 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined the concepts of reasonable accommodation, and accessibility of goods and services, in relation to disabled people in Europe. Existing provisions within European Union member states were complex and inconsistent, and further guidance was needed.
Source: Anna Lawson, 'Reasonable accommodation and accessibility obligations: towards a more unified European approach?', European Anti-Discrimination Law Review, Issue 11
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Feb
The European Union ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities – the first time that the European Union had became a party to an international human rights treaty.
Source: Press release 5 January 2011, European Union
Links: EU press release | Convention | Disability Action press release
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the implementation of the European Union Employment Directive of 2000, which established a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. The report focused on the perspective of organizations of persons with disabilities on using the tools provided by the Directive to promote disability equality in employment.
Source: Ten Years On: Practical impact of the Employment Directive on persons with disabilities in employment, European Disability Forum
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined the levels of job satisfaction reported by older workers (aged 50-64) with and without disabilities, at a European level. Older workers with limiting disabilities had greater returns in terms of satisfaction with their job characteristics (such as wages, tenure, and working in the private sector) compared with non-disabled individuals.
Source: Ricardo Pagan, 'Ageing and disability: job satisfaction differentials across Europe', Social Science & Medicine, Volume 72 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined barriers to political participation facing people in Europe who had mental health problems and/or intellectual disabilities.
Source: The Right to Political Participation of Persons with Mental Health Problems and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, European Agency for Fundamental Rights
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
