The scope of this paper touches the changes which occurred in the European Union
law relating to legal status of disabled persons since the creation of European Community in
1958. The analysis is based on relevant legal sources, ie. treaties, EU regulations, directives and
decisions, as well as the ECJ jurisprudence and OECD reports. The article underlines the meaning
of the new individual-oriented approach, indicating equality of rights of disabled and
healthy. However it also gives attention to practical aspect of said changes, especially the adverse
labour market position of disabled people. For these reasons, despite common EU legislature
it is important to support and recommend not only social protection, but also social inclusion
and acceptance of the disabled persons