In 2012 the Austrian parliament committed itself to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This process of implementation, which comprises 250 schemes, is currently effectuated and should be completed by 2020.
In Austria, particular attention is paid to the fact, that people with physical and/or mental disabilities are emancipated members of society. This applies to the school- and education sector, as well as, to the job market and all other areas of life.
A special certificate of disability, which also has the function of an official card of identity, is part of these schemes. Holders of this certificate get, for example, concessions in public transportation, are allowed to park their cars in special disabled parking spaces or have a better dismissal protection in their jobs.
In Austria, people with disabilities and their families respectively also receive various financial subsidies and benefits, like, for example, entitlement to a higher child benefit, more possibilities for tax deductibility, financial aid from the so-called benevolent fund or various remissions of fees. You can find more information on subsidies in the service section of the Federal Chancellery.
There are many associations and other groups actively working in the field of disabled aid. The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection provides an information-service with search function, that gives you the possibility to find a suitable institution.
In Austria, lawyers for disabled people were introduced to efficiently transpose the concerns and rights of disabled people.
An important measure is the creation of accessibility for disabled people. Accessibility does not only concern structural measures, but unrestricted access in all areas of living. This comprises the areas of education and work, but also possibilities of communication, various recreational activities and sports facilities.
Source: BMASK