Agency launches new web feature to support European Year of People with Disabilities
News release - 05.08.2003
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched a special web feature to support the European Year of People with Disabilities. It provides practical information about making work adjustments, adaptations, technological assistance and other measures to facilitate the integration and retention in employment of people with disabilities.
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched a special web feature to support the European Year of People with Disabilities. It provides practical information about making work adjustments, adaptations, technological assistance and other measures to facilitate the integration and retention in employment of people with disabilities.
The web feature http://disability.osha.europa.eu includes guidelines, advice, practical case studies from the workplace level, details of programmes and strategies in this area as well as policy discussion documents. The information providers range from disability organisations, occupation health and safety organisations to government departments, employers and trade union organisations.
Hans Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the Agency, commenting on the launch of the site said, ‘Too often disabled people are refused jobs or lose their job because employers believe that is not possible to adapt workplaces or ways of working to accommodate them. This web feature demonstrates that there is a wealth of information available to help companies take positive actions to create safe and healthy workplaces for a diverse workforce.’
Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said: ‘the integration of people with disabilities into mainstream employment is not only a question of equal rights but it also makes economic sense. Research shows that disabled employees often achieve higher levels of job performance and have better attendance records. By improving the availability and exchange of practical information on employing people with disabilities, this site is making an important contribution towards a more inclusive workplace.’
ENDS
Further information available from: http://disability.osha.europa.eu
Press contacts:
Sarah Copsey, or Eke Heetveld, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Bilbao. Tel: (34) 94 479 43 78, (34) 94 479 43 86 or e-mail: copsey@osha.europa.eu or heetveld@osha.europa.eu.
Other enquiries:
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain, e-mail: information@osha.europa.eu, fax: (34) 94 479 43 83.
Notes to editors
- The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up by the European Union to help meet the information needs in the field of occupational safety and health. Based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency aims to improve the lives of people at work by stimulating the flow of technical, scientific and economic information between all those involved in occupational safety and health issues.
- Disability at work is just one of a growing number of employment areas and safety and health topics included in the Agency's online information service. Improved navigation and a more user-friendly interface have made using the Agency's network website http://europe.osha.europa.eu even easier. One-click shortcuts provide users with instant access to priority topics such as: accidents, stress and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as information on the changing world of work or high-risk sectors such as fisheries. Printer-friendly web pages make it easier to transfer the information from the computer screen to the workplace. Other features of the site include an 11-language interface, links to automated translation services and a regularly updated international safety and health news service.
