On Wednesday, demonstrations for the rights of people with disabilities will take place in large parts of the country. There have been criticisms of shortcomings in the National Disability Action Plan (NAP) adopted in early July and the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Although Austria signed the corresponding UN Convention in 2008, children and young people with disabilities still do not have the same access to education as children without disabilities. Accessibility is also still the exception, not the rule. Also, many people with disabilities cannot live independently because they do not have access to personal help.
In many cases, this lack of personal assistance leads to unavoidable calamities. “In some cases, hourly rates for social services and personal assistance have not been adjusted to inflation for years. Disabled people are not only confronted with the poverty trap, they also find themselves in personal need. Then, for example, sleeping in a wheelchair or drinking little to avoid going to the toilet is the only way out,” says Christoph Dirnbacher, director of the WAG Assistance Cooperative in the run-up to the demonstrations.
problems in many areas
In addition to the aid, associations and NGOs to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities mainly complain about the lack of an inclusive education system, barrier-free buildings, communication and online applications and work that ensures a living according to the motto “wages instead of pocket money”. .
“This is not a ‘national’ action plan. This is a patchwork of more or less sophisticated measures. There is neither a national solidarity of all countries, nor a general strategy of all ministries. There is still no comprehensive national disability policy strategy,” said Markus Neuherz, Secretary General of Lebenshilfe Austria.
“Our patience has run out”
Martin Ladstätter, president of BIZEPS – Center for Independent Living, is also dissatisfied with the Disability Action Plan: “To a large extent, this NAP is evidence of failure. It will not improve our daily life. Finally in action and implement points from the government program such as ‘Wage instead of pocket money’ or ‘Personal help’ all over Austria! Our patience in the end”.
Support for the demonstration also comes from the opposition. “The reason for the demonstration is the massive failure of the federal government,” said NEOS spokeswoman for the disabled Fiona Fiedler. It is therefore good and necessary that people take to the streets for this today. Finally something has to be done.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
