1.3 Disability
Views about the existence of discrimination on the grounds of disability vary
quite significantly among the countries surveyed .
On average, there is little
difference between the former EU15 countries and the 10 new Member States
(53% and 52%, respectively). However, there are nonetheless considerable differences in
opinion between the countries surveyed.
Discrimination on the basis of disability is perceived to be most widespread in
Italy (68%) and France (66%) and least so in Denmark (32%).
In the two acceding countries , close to half of the interviewees feel that
discrimination on the basis of disability is widespread.
The analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents shows
that views about the existence of discrimination on the basis of disability vary
somewhat depending on people’s gender and their age. Women are more likely
than men to feel that this form of discrimination is widespread (56% versus 49%).
Furthermore, the older people are, the less likely they are to feel it is widespread (48%
among those aged 55+ compared to 57% among those aged 15-24).
Finally, although people with disabled friends or acquaintances 5 are slightly more likely
to feel that discrimination on the basis of disability is widespread (55% versus 50%), it
is interesting to find out that views do not differ so much.
The same phenomenon can be observed regarding people suffering from chronic
physical or mental problems 6 : their opinions on this issue are the same as those of
people who do not suffer from such health problems (both 53%).
In line with the widespread public acceptance of the plight of the disabled, the survey
reveals a clear sense of consensus in all the Member States that more money
should be spent on improving accessibility (91%).