The legal framework for national social security systems, identification of disability and social protection of people with disabilities varies across the EU. The Law on Fundamentals of Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the Republic of Lithuania provides that ‘disability’ means a long-term functional impairment in a person’s body (person’s congenital and/or acquired conditions) which, as a result of environmental factors, prevents the person from participating fully and effectively in the life of society on an equal footing with others.

The Agency for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania determines the level of disability for persons under the age of majority, with the exception of the persons who are/were covered by state social insurance, as well as the level of participation for persons of full age and persons under the age of majority if they are/were covered by state social insurance.

The State Data Agency carries out an annual statistical survey on social services, produces and publishes statistical information on the number of persons with disabilities receiving social services at home, in day centres and residential care establishments. Definitions from the Law on Social Services of the Republic of Lithuania are used therein.

The State Data Agency produces statistics on children with special educational needs, pupils and students with disability based on the data provided by the National Agency for Education. Following the Description of Procedures for the Grouping of Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Division of Their Special Educational Needs into Levels, special educational needs are established for pupils who, based on the conclusion of the pedagogical/psychological assessment, are entitled to pedagogical, psychological, special pedagogical, social pedagogical and special help, provision with special educational and technical aids.

Statistical information on persons with disabilities published by State Data Agency