The Legal Status of Disability Rights Under the European Pillar of Social Rights and the EU Disability Strategy: From Principles to Practice 2030

The paper analyses how disability rights are translated from normative commitments into concrete policy action within the framework of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the EU Disability Strategy 2021-2030. While Principle 17 of the Pillar establishes a strong rights-based foundation, its effectiveness depends on implementation mechanisms operating across EU and national levels. The paper conceptualises this broader process as a form of diffused constitutionalisation, manifested through the interaction of soft law, judicial interpretation, and governance mechanisms. It argues that disability rights constitute a particularly revealing case study of this development because they sit at the intersection of social policy, anti-discrimination law, and fundamental rights protection. By examining the legal, institutional and governance tools used to enhance disability inclusion and strengthen the enforceability of disability rights within the EU, the paper aims to assess whether the Strategy and the Pillar effectively substantially enhance the social dimension of EU in regard to disability rights and to which extent they contribute to EU prosperity.