Intersectionality matters because people experience disability alongside other aspects of their lives, such as gender, age, migration status, cultural background or sexual orientation. These overlapping experiences can shape the barriers people face, including in accessing support and services. 

For disability support providers, taking an intersectional approach means recognising these different experiences and responding to people as whole persons. This can help make support more inclusive, responsive and person-centred. 

This paper explores how disability support services can apply an intersectional approach in practice. It covers: 

• What intersectionality means and why it matters for persons with disabilities;

• International and European human rights frameworks and their relevance to intersecting forms of discrimination; 

• How services can apply an intersectional approach, including through cooperation across sectors; and 

• Practical recommendations for embedding intersectionality in policies, practices and everyday support. 

Read the full briefing

Citation:  

EASPD (2026). Intersectionality, a rights-based foundation for disability support. 

Author:  

Clara Massé, Junior Policy officer 

Editor:  

Irene Bertana, Interim Knowledge and Innovation 

Date:  

Brussels, July 2026.