The right to work: enabling people with disabilities to thrive in the job market

In this episode, Real Economy travels to Poland and Spain to meet the women breaking down barriers in the workplace for those with disabilities and asks European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli what action is being taken.

Around 87 million people in Europe have some kind of disability and many of us are likely to face one in our lifetime, be it from an accident, illness or simply growing older.

Having a job is one of the best ways to ensure independence and social inclusion, yet only 50.8% of people with disabilities are in work compared to 75% of people who don't have a disability.

In Spain, the number of people with disabilities entering the job market has risen by more than 20 percent in the last six years, in part because of public funding and programmes.

Twenty-three year old Alicia has a hearing impairment. She recently got a job as an App tester after completing a training programme with ‘Digital Talent”.

“When my colleagues are speaking I can’t concentrate, so they've given me a quiet place to work. It means I now have less headaches. They are also looking to buy me noise reducing headphones,’’ Alicia says.

Alicia's state-run company Tragsa Group has adopted a social integration plan designed to be attentive to everyone's needs.

Ana Belén Blanco del Campo, a project manager at Tragsa Group explains what the firm prioritises.

"I think the key is good communication between the work manager and the employee with regard to the work they are doing, and what they may need. The company must reflect what society really is."

The "Digital Talent" programme aims to provide trainees with the latest skills in new technologies. David Alonso, is in charge of the foundation's professional integration programme.

"We’re taking