Disability in Denmark

As of 2011, 15.1% of people in Denmark had a basic activity disability, and 16.9% had an employment disability.^[1]

Policy and legislation

Denmark signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol in December 2006 and ratified it in July 2009.^[2]

Employment

Denmark operates an inclusive labour market through a series of employability programmes aimed at integrating people with disabilities into the workplace. The flex Job scheme was introduced in 1998^[3] to bridge the gap in employment of disabled people by allowing employers to hire those with a reduced work ability at a rate which is then subsidised by the government in order to meet the minimum wage.^[4] The Flex Job scheme along with other programmes such as the 'ice breaker' scheme and the Skaane job scheme have been seen as having a positive impact on the Danish labour market as participation by those with disabilities has increased greatly since 1998.^{[5]: 12–13}

Unlike many of its European counterparts, Denmark does not use a quota system for employing disabled people because it is viewed as placing disabled people in a special category,^[5]: 14 and instead favours an inclusive and active labour market approach. Denmark's disability employment rate is higher than the OECD average, with 52% of disabled people in employment.^[6] However, the number of people in receipt of disability pensions remains high.^[7] The number of disabled people living in poverty in Denmark is also above the OECD average at 24.8%.^[8]

Activism

Danske Handicaporganisationer [da] advocates for people with disabilities in Denmark.^[9]

Disability culture

Arts

The Sølund Music Festival [da] is a Danish music festival designed for people with disabilities.^[10]

Sport

References