European Disability Employment Week 2026 (SEEPH): dates, theme and how employers can take part

Every November, European Disability Employment Week (SEEPH) gives employers a shared moment to talk about disability at work. In 2026 it reaches its 30th edition. This article sets out what you need to know about this edition, then shows how to bring the week to life with your teams, whether you work from one site or several.

What is European Disability Employment Week (SEEPH)?

European Disability Employment Week (SEEPH, from its French name, Semaine européenne pour l'emploi des personnes handicapées) is a week of mobilisation devoted to the employment of disabled people. It was born in France in 1997, created by the association LADAPT, and became European in 2015. Source: LADAPT, "La SEEPH". It now runs under the high patronage of the European Parliament. Source: Centre Inffo, 29th edition of the SEEPH.

The week is not limited to France. In November 2025, the European Commission Representation in Spain hosted a conference in Madrid on the right to employment of disabled people, held on the occasion of the 29th edition. Source: European Commission, Representation in Spain, agenda 10 to 19 November 2025. In France, the week is organised by LADAPT, Agefiph and FIPHFP. Source: Agefiph. Companies, public bodies and charities use it to run awareness actions, meetings and events on inclusion.

For an employer, the week is above all a useful anchor. It gives you a date, a theme and a recognised frame to open a subject that many teams avoid because they do not know how to talk about it. If your organisation operates in the UK, you can tie it to your existing equality work. The Equality Act 2010 defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. Source: GOV.UK, "Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010".

European Disability Employment Week 2026: dates and theme

The 2026 theme was announced by Agefiph. Source: Agefiph, "Thème de la SEEPH 2026".

The word "demystify" is the most useful one for an employer. It invites you to move past stereotypes, starting with the image of a disability that is always visible. According to Agefiph, the French fund for the employment of disabled people, around 80% of disabilities are invisible. Source: Agefiph. To explore this point further, read our article on invisible disabilities at work.

The employment gap behind the week

The week exists because the gap is still wide. In the EU, the employment gap between people aged 20 to 64 with and without disabilities stood at 24.0 percentage points in 2024. Source: Eurostat, "Employment gaps for women and disabled people". In the UK, the disability employment rate was 52.8% between April and June 2025, against 82.5% for non-disabled people, a gap of 29.7 percentage points. Source: GOV.UK, "The employment of disabled people 2025".

DuoDay, the key moment of the week in France

DuoDay was born in Ireland in 2008. It is now run in several European countries, including France, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands (ADEM). In 2026 it takes place on Thursday 19 November. The principle is simple: an organisation welcomes a disabled person for one day, in a pair with a volunteer employee, so that the visitor can discover their job. It is the most concrete action of the week because it creates a real meeting. Registration goes through the scheme's official website. Source: DuoDay.

If your teams are based outside these countries, the same idea still works as an internal format: a work-shadowing day or an open day for disabled people, organised with a local partner.

How to bring the week to life in your organisation

The week lasts seven days. For it to leave a trace, prepare it in advance and treat it as a journey rather than a one-off event.

1. Start with a review of what exists

Before choosing an activity, look at what is already in place: who the disability or inclusion lead is, which reasonable adjustments you already provide, and whether your company has joined a scheme such as Disability Confident in the UK. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must take reasonable steps to remove the disadvantages disabled people face at work. Source: legislation.gov.uk, Equality Act 2010, section 20. An awareness week sounds hollow if employees do not know who to turn to afterwards.

2. Reach everyone, not only headquarters

A talk at head office reaches only part of your teams. If you have several sites, field teams or remote workers, choose a format everyone can join at the same time: a quiz, a connected challenge or a webinar.

3. Combine understanding and action

The actions that stick have two stages. First, a stage to understand, with short content, a testimonial or a quiz on common misconceptions. Then a stage to act together, with a collective activity where everyone takes part at their own pace.

4. Give the week a follow-up

End the week by stating clearly which resources are available: who to contact, how to request an adjustment, where to find information. In the UK, this includes Access to Work, a government grant that can help pay for support at work, such as specialist equipment or support workers. Source: GOV.UK, "Access to Work". This is what turns awareness into concrete change.

Looking for specific formats? Our article on SEEPH workplace activities describes several, and our guide to disability awareness at work suggests actions you can run all year round.

H-Games, the inter-company competition of the week

At United Heroes, the week is also the time of the H-Games, an inter-company competition organised with the Fédération Française Handisport (the French disability sport federation). In 2026 the theme is "Disability beyond appearances" (French: « Le handicap au-delà des apparences »). Employees take part in the United Heroes app: they earn points through physical activities, quizzes, content and engagement actions, and those points unlock a donation to the Fédération Française Handisport. The app opens on 2 November, the warm-up runs from 9 to 15 November, and the competition runs from 16 to 29 November, starting with the week itself. The story of the competition is told in our article on past H-Games editions.

FAQ

Take it further

To make the week a key moment in your organisation, discover the H-Games 2026 and their schedule, from the app opening on 2 November to the final on 3 December. For activity ideas, read our article on SEEPH workplace activities, and to challenge common misconceptions, our article on disability in the workplace: myths and realities.