In the past it was assumed that the unemployment and underemployment of people with disabilities was interrelated to or an unavoidable consequence of the physical and mental impairments of the persons concerned. The ILO now recognizes that many of the disadvantages they face are not due to individual impairments, but rather a result of the reaction of society to their impairments. These guidelines, developed with this in mind and under the premise that disability is a human rights issue, are intended to assist advocates and policy-makers to improve the effectiveness of legislation on the training and employment of disabled persons. The guide includes examples of legislation in several countries.