ABSTRACT
The HID survey has identified a group that extends beyond the definition in the 1987 Act to include anyone declaring health problems - physical or mental impairments - as a disability. The disability factor combines with skill level and age in restricting disabled persons' access to work and leads them to register with official disability schemes. The French government has introduced a special scheme providing immediate supports for the severely disabled that opt to live at home. The labour-market integration should be facilitated by expanding existing schemes that cover both the ordinary and sheltered work environments. The Commission has always operated in two separate sections, one dealing with work-related decisions and the other with social measures. It has support from a secretariat and is backed up by a multidisciplinary technical team. Since 1994, the recommendation has been for the two sections to operate more closely together and take a comprehensive approach to employment and social security.
