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Disability project law “for full employment”: improving access to employment for people with disabilities

Octobre 7, 2023 — published by Pyramidale Communication

Projet de loi Handicap « pour le plein emploi »

On the night of July 11 to 12, 2023, the Senate adopted the “Full Employment” project law at first reading. Of the 341 votes cast, 250 were in favor of the project law and several amendments, including one aimed at improving access to employment for people with disabilities.^1-3

Many obstacles remain for people with disabilities. Beyond their health conditions, which may sometimes limit their ability to work, they continue to face disadvantages in accessing employment compared with other job seekers. They are, on average, older, have lower levels of education, and experience reduced geographical mobility. As a result, the unemployment rate among people with disabilities was estimated at 12% in 2022, nearly twice that of the general population.^4,5

In the context of chronic or rare diseases, being employed or seeking employment raises many challenges, and maintaining a professional life can be particularly difficult. Fatigue, pain, absenteeism, unsuitable working conditions, and, in some cases, inability to work are among the difficulties encountered. Depending on individual circumstances, measures and support schemes are now available to address these needs and help better reconcile chronic or rare diseases with work. Nevertheless, many adjustments are still required to ensure the effective implementation of this full-employment policy.^4,5

Why this project law on disability?

The project law aims to reduce the unemployment rate to 5% by 2027 by supporting individuals furthest from employment, including recipients of the Active Solidarity Income (RSA) and people with disabilities.^1-3

It seeks to streamline the pathways for job seekers and promote access to employment for people with disabilities by simplifying the recognition of disabled worker status (RQTH) and access to the associated rights.^1-3

Contributions from the senate

The creation of a “digital backpack”: ^1,2,6,7

As part of the National Disability Conference (CNH) held on April 26, 2023, the creation of a personal digital file for each person with a disability was announced.

This “digital backpack” records all accommodations granted to a disabled worker throughout its life (education, training, apprenticeship, and employment). Its purpose is to facilitate mobility and the implementation of new accommodations when entering training or starting a new job. The aim is to prevent gaps in accommodations and to make their setup easier, so that they can be implemented more quickly when the person enters training or employment.

RQTH equivalence for young people aged 16 to 20: ^1,2,6,8,9

To simplify the recognition of disabled worker status and ensure consistency in measuring equivalence with the Recognition of Disabled Worker Status (RQTH), the law proposes extending RQTH equivalence to young individuals aged 16 to 20, rather than only those aged 16 to 18 who were already supported by MDPH (Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées) under the previous ‘3DS’ project law.

These young people must receive a child disability compensation benefit, a disabled child allowance, or have a personalized schooling plan, ensuring an effective transition until the opening of adult rights for persons with disabilities, set at age 20.

What happens next?

The project law text has been transmitted to the National Assembly and is scheduled for examination and a vote in fall 2023.¹⁰

Although societal and employer attitudes toward disability are gradually evolving, significant challenges remain. In France, nearly 10 million people of working age report living with a chronic illness or long-term health condition requiring care over many years, if not throughout their lives. Managing chronic or rare diseases is complex, yet most affected individuals wish to work, continue working, or return to work.

The impact of illness on daily life extends far beyond health alone. Improving quality of life and autonomy means being able to access and maintain employment, actively participate in social life, and manage everyday activities with greater ease.¹¹

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