Improving the assessment of disability and integration of people with disabilities in the labour market in Latvia

The Commission supported the Latvian authorities in their efforts to (i) modernise the administrative processes in the field of disability assessment, and (ii) move from a medical impairment-based approach towards a more holistic assessment of disability, which takes into account functional capacity and individual needs; and (iii) review active labour market policies (ALMP) to improve integration of people with disabilities in the labour market.

Context

Disability assessment plays a key role in supporting inclusive societies and labour markets, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. An assessment system gives persons with disabilities access to the social benefits and support they need for an independent and autonomous living. In ageing societies, such system becomes increasingly important. The working capacity of persons with disabilities is assessed and labour market integration programmes targeting people with disabilities are (re-)designed with a view to integrate untapped work force in the labour market.

Support delivered

The support provided relates to the reform of the governance and methodology of the assessment system and the activation policies targeting people with disabilities in Latvia and in EU countries. In-depth analyses were prepared to inform policy-making and the development of a new disability assessment model, which was tested on the ground with support from the project.

Results achieved

The assessment conducted led to a set of recommendations that fed into the reform process in Latvia. Implementation of the recommendations resulted in the simplification and increased agility of the institutional and regulatory set-up, as well as in better targeting of active labour market policies. In turn, these improvements led to a more effective social protection system, better labour market performance and higher economic growth.

More about the project

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