Disability

Disability and employment: an ongoing challenge

Despite the progress made in terms ofinclusion, people with disabilities still face numerous obstacles in accessing and remaining in employment.

At European level, only 50.8% of people with disabilities have a job, compared with 75% of people without disabilities (European Strategy 2021-2030).

In Luxembourg, this inequality is confirmed: in December 2023, 64% of employees recognised as disabled had a job, compared with 94.1% of people without disabilities.

In addition, according to the population census carried out in 2021 by STATEC, almost one person in seven in Luxembourg, i.e. around 94,000 people, felt that they were affected by adisability.

While progress has been made, thanks in particular to the mobilisation of certain players, many companies still lack information on theinclusion of people with disabilities. 

It is therefore essential to:

• Better explaindisability in all its forms,
• Deconstruct stereotypes and preconceived ideas,
• Support organisations in opening up their processes 
• Create more inclusive working environments.

The aim is to guaranteeequal opportunities and real, lasting access to employment for the people concerned.

In Luxembourg, mobilisation is growing. The Lëtzebuerg 2021 Diversity & Business Barometer shows that :

• 64% of signatories to the Lëtzebuerg Diversity Charter have addressed the issue ofdisability,
• Among the signatories, 80% of large organisations (more than 250 employees) are taking concrete action to create a disability-friendly environment.

“Work and employment” is one of the 8 priorities of the 2019-2024 National Plan on the rights of people with disabilities (document available in the Resources tab).

Because goodwill is not always enough, we have developed resources and practical projects to help employers to:

• Understand the issues related todisability,
• Identify the levers for action adapted to your context,
• Implement sustainable inclusive approaches.

Resources produced by IMS Luxembourg and the Diversity Charter Lëtzebuerg

IMS has developed a variety of tools to support organisations who want to take action regarding people withdisability. All materials are available here:

• Handi-Diag : www.handidiag.lu

A tool to help you measure the place given todisability in your organisation and to increase the maturity of your processes in terms of theinclusion of people with disabilities. With tips, resources and concrete actions ton implement.

Handi-Perception – in 2025, Handi-Diag was enriched with the Handi-Perception tool, which enables you to assess your employees' perception of theinclusion ofdisability in you organisation.

• Handi-Capable

A series of five videos entitled ‘HandiCapable’ aims to deconstruct the prejudices associated with people with disabilities.

The videos feature an inspiring testimonial from a professional who shares his or her experience,skills andintegration into the team. These stories highlight the fact thatdisability is just one characteristic among many and does not define a person's worth. 

These videos aim to promote inclusive working environments where everyone can be themselves. By changing perceptions, we are helping to build a fairer and more supportive working world.

• A communications toolkit to raise awareness of staff and overcome prejudices
  • 5 infographics to download
  • 3 videos to share

• 2 practical guides

"Practical guide todisability in the workplace" - This guide sheds light on the recruitment of people with disabilities in Luxembourg.

"(Handi)Cap’Emploi: putting theory into practice in the company" - A guide that collects good practices implemented by other companies in which the employer can find inspiration around 7 concrete themes.

• A guide dedicated to partnership opportunities between organisations and sheltered workshops

"Passerelles entre entreprises et AIP au Luxembourg" - Presentation of Luxembourg's vocationalintegration workshops, offering a clearer view of this "other" labour market to employers in the ordinary working world and to anyone who wants to become aware of this reality.

• 1 check-list and an evaluation tool

"Handi-accommodating Checklist" in PDF version to assess your practices and find inspiration for developing new initiatives.

External resources

• Useful contacts of national actors working for people with disabilities (non-exhaustive list of useful contacts who can support you and guide you in your process of hiring a person with adisability or in reclassification): pages 88 to 93 of the Practical guide todisability in the workplace
• National Action Plan for the impementation of the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities 2019-2024 - Ministère de la Famille, de l'Intégration et à la Grande Région / Le gouvernement luxembourgeois
• Best practices of the signatories of the Diversity Charter Lëtzebuerg related to disability

Join one of the IMS projects enabling you to work ondisabilityinclusion.

HandiMentor Connect 

Bringing together experience and expertise in the workplace 

HandiMentor Connect is a pilot exchange and awareness-raising project in the form of pairs. The pairs will be made up of a team manager and an employee who has a relative with adisability or who is disabled him/herself.

Creating a space for exchange

5 meetings spread over 12 weeks;

Workshops to share ideas on the subject. 

Working together to come up with solutions to move forward

Asking practical questions together about theinclusion ofdisability in the workplace in order to change the way things are done.

This project is aimed at companies and organisations at whatever stage of development they are at with regard to theinclusion ofdisability in the workplace.

The project in practice:

• Brainstorming workshops ;
• Personal support for companies and pairs;
• Identification and sharing of ideas and practices put in place.

For more information, contact laura.fabiano@imslux.lu

This project is financed by the European Social Fund, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees.

Inclusion Skills

5-modules training to:

• Consolidate your inclusive practices and discover new managerial opportunities.
• Develop your network with other professionals and help create a more attractive work environment!

Innovative aspect

• Bringing together the private, public, and parapublic sectors with the social sector;
• Support provided by expert trainers from both backgrounds;
• Sharing practical tools, concrete experiences, and contacts to help your inclusive projects succeed.

In practice: 

• 5 training modules in 26 hours certified python UFEP
• Language: French.
• Preferential rate: €900 incl. VAT (including coffee breaks and meals).
• 3 sessions in 2025

More information and registration here, or contact alexia.merel@imslux.lu

Project co-created in partnership with UFEP, Ligue Santé Mentale and funded by the Ministry of Labour.

Handi Engage 

Helping companies to work on their organisation, processes and culture in order to transform themselves into inclusive workplaces in the long term. Personalised support for four companies over one year.

The programme for the four companies includes :

• Individual support from IMS, with two interviews for each of the companies;
• Collective support, with two collective workshops to exchange and share best practice.

The objectives for each company are: 

• Analysis of their practices via Handi-Diag (and Handi-Perception depending on the maturity of the company);
• Definition of personalised objectives and creation of an appropriate action plan.

This project is funded by the Ministry of Labour.