A Comparative Analysis of the Active Labour Market Policies for Disabled People in the European Union Member States

The present analysis sets out to analyse the current situation of active labour market policies addressing disabled people. Methodologically, the thesis is a mixed-method, comparative social policy research study. With its layered analysis, it aims to identify how states can better promote the employment of disabled people in the open labour market. Initially, the factors behind better employment outcomes were investigated. This was, later, followed by investigation of individual level interpretations and experiences in the face of ALMPs addressing disabled people. The results of the present thesis indicate that centralisation of assessment structures, timely vocational rehabilitation; availability of flexible working options and access to education; built environment and transport systems have potential to promote employment of disabled people after controlling for the factors. Prolonged and strong support system and access to training opportunities may also contribute. Still, any governance style that harms ‘the rights and responsibilities equilibrium’ in favour of the state inherently possesses the potential to produce a reaction at the individual level, even if the person has benefited from it. While individual-level characteristics as a group appeared to explain most of the variation, the effect of country-level policy factors as a group on employment outcomes are more difficult to observe. Thus, when delivering policies targeting the integration of disabled people, it is crucial to take a non-deterministic policy approach where the perspectives of direct stakeholders taken into consideration substantially. Combination of activation focus with protection systems could be a better strategy in transforming the employment situation of disabled people.