An estimated 14.6% of people in Luxembourg, or around 94,000 individuals, are living with a disability. This can take many forms, such as physical, sensory (visual or auditory), intellectual, or invisible.
The new national action plan, now presented by the government, brings together 119 targeted measures aimed at improving inclusion for people with disabilities in all areas of society.
Family Minister Max Hahn highlighted the breadth of the action plan and explained that inclusion must be addressed in many everyday areas, ranging from sports, culture, and tourism to first aid training with the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS).
Access to employment, in both the private and public sectors, remains an area where further progress is needed to guarantee accessibility for all, according to the minister.
Central to the plan is a shift in perspective: rather than expecting people with disabilities to adapt to society, society itself must adapt to the needs of people with disabilities.
The action plan is structured around 50 concrete objectives, grouped into seven thematic chapters: equality; accessibility and participation in society; autonomy; education, children, and youth; health, social security, and care; employment; and international cooperation.
In the area of justice, the plan aims to strike a balance between protecting people with disabilities and supporting their right to self-determination.
A major point is the planned reform of guardianship ('tutelle'), with legislation expected to be submitted next year. According to Justice Minister Élisabeth Margue, this reform will focus on applying the principle of subsidiarity, meaning judges must always consider whether a less restrictive measure is possible before imposing guardianship, and use it if appropriate.
The planned reform also introduces a system of time limits, so that after a certain period, each measure will be reviewed for its effectiveness and adapted if necessary.
Another aim is to ensure legal measures are better explained and more accessible, which will make it easier for affected individuals to submit complaints or requests to the guardianship judge.
The plan also addresses healthcare and education, emphasising that everyone should receive appropriate care and information while families are better supported. Specific adaptations are planned for people who are particularly sensitive to noise or light.
One of the flagship projects, identified by the Minister of Health, is to improve both the diagnosis and support available for children with neurological disabilities, which is also highly relevant for schools.
Education Minister Claude Meisch noted that, in some cases, support comes too late, with children only being identified once they begin school at age three or four.
The plan therefore calls for improved coordination between the various bodies operating under the Ministry of Education, namely schools, non-formal education, and child protection, as well as with health services, particularly in early childhood.
To further promote inclusion in schools, the government intends to expand competence centres, and is considering the creation of regional branches to bring support closer to those who need it.
There are also plans to make music schools and conservatoires more accessible and inclusive.
While housing remains a challenge for everyone, the plan recognises that it is even more difficult for people with disabilities. Here too, the goal is to promote maximum autonomy and independent living.
The action plan has been developed by 20 government ministries and will undergo annual internal reviews. After five years, an external evaluation will be conducted to assess which measures have been implemented, which have not, and the reasons behind this.
In addition to cooperation between ministries, the process involves collaboration with directly affected individuals and with human rights organisations such as Info-Handicap, Okaju, and the Ombudsman.
The full text of the new national action plan is available here.
