EU-US Seminar on Employment of Persons with Disabilities (Brussels, 5 - 6 November 2009)

摘要

The European Union (EU) - United States seminar on employment of persons with disabilities was held on the 5th and 6th of November 2009 in Brussels. The seminar was organized jointly by the European Commission Unit for Integration of People with Disabilities and the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy in the Department of Labor. The seminar took place against the background of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which opened for signature on 30 March 2007, and has, to date, been signed by the European Community, all its Member States and the United States. Over the two days, participants heard a number of expert presentations from senior officers in government departments of the United States and EU with responsibilities for disability policies, and from senior representatives of business, the public sector, disability rights organizations, and academic and legal experts. The seminar also benefited from the participation of a very informed audience which included academic, business, advisory and government departmental organizations. This quality of participation facilitated a highly informed discussion on important aspects of the position of persons with disabilities in the United States and EU, the assessment of progress in tackling disabling barriers to employment, and meeting the terms of the UN Convention. Specific thematic discussions included: Policy and legislation on employment of persons with disabilities; Information communications technology and assistive technology in employment; Transitions from education to employment; Measuring employment of persons with disabilities.