This responsibility is based on ethical obligations as well as on national, European and international legislation. At the most general level, the ethical responsibility can be derived from the intrinsic value of human beings. General codes can be found in human rights agreements and and in various recommendations. There are also relevant, non-binding documents, e.g. United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disablities. Equality entails non-discrimination.
Some countries have anti-discrimination legislation.
In some countres discrimination can be prohibited in basic law or in specific legislation. In the European Union Amsterdam Treaty prohibits discrimination, for example, on the grounds of disability. In the telecommunciations sector in Europe there are only few examples so far. Even more specific legislation aims to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities. This legislation may concern, e.g. rehabilitation or various social or health services.