Europe’s 80 million people with disabilities are at serious risk of poverty, social exclusion and discrimination as a result of their governments’ austerity measures, according to a recent study commissioned by the European Foundation Centre’s European Consortium on Human Rights and Disability.
The study, titled ‘Assessing the impact of European governments’ austerity plans on the rights of people with disabilities’, analyses the impact of austerity measures – in terms of employment, independent living, education, primary care and assistance – on the rights of people with disabilities.
It reveals how reduced spending on welfare and social services by some Member States is resulting in a disproportionate increase in numbers of people with disabilities losing their jobs, income support and access to fundamental services.