People With Disabilities in Europe Face Political Confidence vs. Trusting Gap Despite Barriers

Introduction

With over 80 million citizens identifying as having a disability across the EU—constituting one of Europe's largest minority groups—their political experiences have remained surprisingly understudied despite practical barriers like inaccessible polling stations and campaign materials being well-documented.

This article examines how socioeconomic factors shape their relationship to politics:

• Data & Methods

Leverages longitudinal data from the European Social Survey (30 nations, 2002–2015).

• Key Findings

People with disabilities display lower levels of political efficacy and trust.

• Internal/external gaps emerge in their political engagement.
• Discrimination paradoxically boosts self-confidence while undermining institutional trust.
• Socioeconomic factors partially explain disparities, but discrimination remains a key barrier.

• Why It Matters

Illuminates a persistent dimension of political inequality requiring further research.