Qu'est-ce que Disability Employment ?
Definition
Disability employment refers to the integration and maintenance of people with physical, sensory, cognitive or psychosocial disabilities in the labour market, supported by legal protections against discrimination, reasonable adjustment obligations for employers, and specific public incentive programmes.
In practice
In Belgium, disability employment is supported through multiple mechanisms. VDAB, FOREM and Actiris each have specialist advisors and integration pathways for workers with disabilities. The Plan Activa provides employer hiring incentives. The employment rate of people with disabilities in Belgium is approximately 41% — significantly below the overall employment rate of 72%, indicating persistent barriers. Belgian anti-discrimination law requires employers to provide "reasonable accommodation" for workers with disabilities — adjustments that allow them to perform their functions without disproportionate cost to the employer (adapted workstation, adapted schedule, assistive technology). Specific disability funds (VAPH in Flanders, AVIQ in Wallonia, PHARE in Brussels) subsidise employment aids and workplace adaptation costs. Recognised disability status (AVIQ recognition, VAPH assessment) enables access to these programmes. Companies with more than 25 employees in some sectors have diversity obligations regarding disability employment.
Key takeaway
Disability is often a barrier to employment not because of functional limitations but because of environmental and attitudinal barriers — removing these expands the talent pool and builds genuinely inclusive teams.
Définitions connexes
Inclusive Recruitment
Set of practices aiming to ensure that the recruitment process is fair, equitable and accessible to all candidates, regardless of their background or personal characteristics.
Inclusion
Organisational practice of creating an environment where every individual — regardless of background or identity — feels valued, respected, heard and able to contribute fully.
Hiring Discrimination
Unlawful treatment of candidates based on characteristics protected by law (gender, origin, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) rather than on competencies.
Plan Activa
Belgian employment activation measure offering employers financial incentives to hire job seekers who have been unemployed for a defined period.