The last decade has seen notable changes in disability policy in Europe. Changed assumptions about the concept of disability have been reflected in the adoption of new national and pan-European legislation. As a consequence, the policy which has sought to separate and segregate people with disabilities in “special schools”, labour markets, residential accommodation and transport has, to some degree, and in some countries, been reconsidered. Attempts have been made to develop an integrated approach, opening up jobs, services and housing to all people irrespective of their ability or disability. A key element of this new approach has been the recognition that segregation and exclusion is not a necessary consequence of a physical or intellectual impairment, but the result of conscious policy choices based on false assumptions about the abilities of the people with disabilities. The new approach recognizes the role which discrimination plays in disadvantaging people with disabilities and, conversely, how legislation seeks to combat elements of disability discrimination and creates equality of opportunity for people with disabilities.