New rights, strengthened inclusive education, pro-employment policies: during Emmanuel Macron's two five-year terms, measures were adopted to better integrate disabled people, but they are far from sufficient, point out actors in the sector.
Emmanuel Macron, who made disability a priority of his first five-year term, will preside over the 7th National Disability Conference (CNH) in Bobigny on Friday, September 4th. The conference aims to set the course for public policy in this area. The 2026 edition« opens a new stage, that of a fully accessible society«"The Elysée Palace assures.
However, the impact of the event, held every three years, could be limited, coming just months before the presidential election.« In ten years, some issues have improved, but the lives of disabled people are not fundamentally better.«" , says Arnaud de Broca, president of the Handicaps collective, which brings together about fifty associations.
Improved support
Several social benefits have been reformed to support the independence of people with disabilities. The government has revised the calculation method for the Adult Disability Allowance: the spouse's income is no longer taken into account since October 2023, a long-standing demand from disability associations. Prior to this, the government broadened the eligibility criteria for the Disability Compensation Benefit (PCH) and introduced lifetime entitlements for those with irreversible disabilities.
Another key measure: the introduction in December 2025 of full reimbursement for wheelchairs.
Inclusive schooling: a mixed record
Under Macron, the number of children with disabilities attending mainstream schools has increased sharply, from 320,000 in 2017 to over 550,000, a trend that began as early as 2006. To support these children, the number of teaching assistants for students with disabilities (AESH) has grown, reaching 135,000 by 2024, according to the statistics department of the Ministry of National Education. However, this profession is characterized by significant job insecurity, as highlighted in a recent Senate report, which calls this model into question.
And despite the progress, associations denounce incomplete support, part-time schooling, untrained teachers… As well as thousands of disabled children without a solution at the start of each school year.
Employment: a very gradual improvement –
Measures to support the learning and hiring of disabled people have helped to support their employment.
The unemployment rate for disabled people will reach approximately 12% in 2024 compared to 19% in 2017, which is still five points higher than for the general population, according to the association managing the fund for the integration of disabled people (Agefiph).
In a report published in early 2026, the Court of Auditors deemed the policy in favor of the employment of disabled people insufficient, pointing in particular to "« disparate measures »and a« lack of vision«"According to the Elysée, one of the commitments expected on Friday is to allow people to choose their job and develop their professional skills.
Medical and social services: a project underway
Children on waiting lists to enter health and social care facilities because the adults do not leave them, due to a lack of space elsewhere; people who go to Belgium to find a place in a facility, in the absence of a solution close to their family…
During the last CNH, the government announced the creation of 50,000 solutions by 2030 for children and adults without an appropriate response to their needs (new places, home support, etc.).
According to the government, approximately 18,300 solutions were already operational by January 2026.« 50,000 solutions is far from meeting all the needs, and progress is slow.«" regrets Luc Gateau, president of Unapei.
Read alsoMore than 180,000 people have benefited from the reform of wheelchair coverage.
Accessibility: little progress
Transportation, leisure, housing… The government has repeatedly promised to accelerate progress on accessibility. In particular, it launched a €1.5 billion fund in 2023 to renovate public spaces. According to the latest official figures, 900,000 public buildings (town halls, prefectures, etc.) were compliant, out of nearly two million.
The difficulties persist on a daily basis.« This is a huge disappointment«" , says Farbod Khansari of APF France Handicap, pointing to the lack of ambition and political support in terms of accessibility.
Regarding digital services, access to online public services remains very insufficient, according to the Court of Auditors. In January 2026, only 71 of the 250 main online public procedures were accessible.
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