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The Academic Network of European Disability Experts (ANED)

Statistical indicators - Feasibility of measuring disability equality in relation to the UN Convention

During the ANED 2009 Annual Meeting, Professor Stefanos Grammenos (Centre For European Social And Economic Policy) presented key findings from his draft synthesis report on the feasibility of measuring the proposed disability indicator set using existing data sources (Report published beginning of 2010).

Presentation Prof. Stefanos Grammenos:

Powerpoint (pdf 114 kB)
Handout (pdf 47 kB)

Seven key areas for indicators had been identified based on the requirements of the Convention:

*   Disability Rate / Demographics
*   Personal And Family Life
*   Choice And Control
*   Access To Goods And Services
*   Education And Lifelong Learning
*   Work And Employment
*   Incomes And Poverty

A range of quantitative indicators would need to be collected in each of these areas: for example, indicating how easy it is for disabled people to use public transport, or how accessible public websites are.

Variables on disability are scattered in different EU surveys, and data on demographics vary according to the definition of disability used in surveys, reflecting the different purposes for which they are designed. The EU SILC, EU Labour Force Survey and Eurobarometer all provide useful data.

Information for monitoring could be collected by inserting disability questions in the next round of European surveys such as the Adult Education Survey, Labour Force Survey, Information and Communication Technologies, European Victimisation Survey, National Travel/Mobility Surveys, European Values Survey, European Elections Survey.

In the long-run data should be sensitive to the type of disability and related barriers. It is important to make clear distinctions between the needs of disabled people and the services used by them, and also to enable the consideration of dynamic factors such as the transition from education to work and deteriorating or improving disability status.

Jean-Marc Pascal Schaefer (Eurostat) noted that there is currently no large survey entirely dedicated to disability in Europe. At present, pan-European data-collection is subject to a 'gentlemen's agreement' with Member States. However, a new approach will be adopted using European Regulations to implement social statistics. This will assist enhanced data-collection.

The specific legal commitments in the UN Convention, Article 31 require states to collect appropriate information, including statistical and research data to enable parties to formulate and implement policies, should also assist this process.

When the European Module on Disability and Social Integration is implemented this will enable data to be collected focusing on the barriers experienced by disabled people including negative attitudes and behaviour.

Presentation Jean-Marc Pascal Schaefer:


Powerpoint (ppt 845 kB)
Handout (pdf 151 kB)