Work and employment
The UN CRPD Article 27 on 'work and employment' states that people with disabilities should have the right to participate in the labour market, make choices about types of work, and work in environments that are inclusive and accessible. The CRPD also requires governments to ensure that people with disabilities have the right to earn a living. This is alongside domestic laws that many countries have for including people with disabilities in the workforce. Full and productive work for people with disabilities is also specifically referenced in the targets for Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Economic Growth and Employment).
Resources in this section provide evidence, research, and guidance to achieve inclusive work and employment for people with disabilities.
International Labour Organization (2014) Achieving equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities through legislation
This online education guide aims to support users in the development, implementation and evaluation of employment legislation and policy which promotes equal employment opportunities.
Fundación ONCE and ILO (2023) Making the green transition inclusive for persons with disabilities
The report explores many of the expected employment trends that will accompany the necessary transition to an economy and society aligned with the various planetary environmental thresholds that safeguard our collective wellbeing.
ESCAP (2021) Disability at a Glance: The Shaping of Disability-Inclusive Employment in Asia and the Pacific
This is a compendium of the current state of employment of persons with disabilities in the Asia and Pacific region.
ILO (2016) Promoting diversity and inclusion through workplace adjustments: A practical guide
This guide aims to explain the concept of reasonable adjustments (“reasonable accommodation”) and provide practical step-by-step guidance on how and when these should be provided in the workplace.
International Labor Organization (2017) Guide for business on the rights of persons with disabilities
Concrete actions and measures companies can take to implement good practices that are inclusive of persons with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace and in the community.
Inclusive Futures (2020) The disability-confident employers’ toolkit
Practical guidance to make it easier for leaders, HR executives and property managers to foster inclusive workspaces.
OHCHR (2020) Policy Guidelines for Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals: Decent work and economic growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
International Labour Organization (2016) Disability in the Workplace: Employers’ Organizations and Business Networks, 2016
ILO Global Business and Disability Network have presented 14 case studies on how national employers’ organisations and business networks have been utilised to promote disability inclusion within the private sector.
Sanchez, Jeannette. (2015). International Labour Organisation: Geneva, Moving towards disability inclusion: Stories of change
This publication produced by the ILO-Irish Aid Partnership Program discusses approaches to disability inclusive employment through case examples.
Bruijn, P. (2014) Inclusion Works! Lessons learned on the inclusion of people with disabilities in a food security project for ultra poor women in Bangladesh
Inclusion Works! is a lessons learned report on an EU funded food security project in Bangladesh implemented by a Consortium of mainstream and disability focused NGOs, targeting women with disabilities for economic empowerment opportunities.
Banks, L M and Polack, S (2014) The economic costs of exclusion and gains of inclusion of people with disabilities: evidence from low and middle income countries
This report presents the results of a systematic review on the association between disability and poverty in low and middle income countries.
International Labour Organization (2017) The Competitive Advantage of Hiring Persons with Disabilities: An Employer’s Guide to Disability Inclusion at the Workplace
This document was produced by ILO Bangladesh in collaboration with the Bangladesh Employers Federation to promote disability inclusive employment within the private sector.
ILO (2020) Key issues on promoting employment of persons with disabilities
This is a Q&A resource regarding the key issues for promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
