Disability Council Appeals to City of Vienna

The federal capital continues to refuse to sign the regulation initiated by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Specifically, it is about the expansion of personal assistance to groups previously excluded and the elimination of precarious employment relationships. The states receive a part of the costs in return.

More than a year ago, negotiations began between FSW (Fond Soziales Wien) and the Ministry of Social Affairs about Vienna's accession to the federal directive for the harmonisation of personal assistance. In August 2024, the path for Vienna's accession to the federal directive was paved and a contract ready for signature was negotiated at official level, and all necessary administrative procedures were clarified. Nevertheless, Vienna's accession was cancelled again on 1 January 2025.

Criticism from Disability Council

This behaviour of the Viennese city government leads to the fact that in Vienna only people with physical disabilities have a claim to personal assistance, while people with learning difficulties, mental illnesses or sensory disabilities are excluded, the Disability Council criticised at a press conference on Friday. In addition, assistants would have to continue to be employed precariously because the hourly rate paid out is not sufficient for employment.

People with disabilities have a right to self-determination, but Vienna denies this by ignoring the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, criticised Roswitha Schachinger, Vice President of the Austrian Disability Council, on Friday. 52 million euros could have revolutionised personal assistance in Vienna, but Viennese politics prefers "standstill and ignorance". The chairman of BIZEPS - Centre for Independent Living also finds this approach "shocking".

City of Vienna Defends Itself

The city of Vienna itself defended its approach. The existing directive, which has also not been signed by other federal states such as Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria and Burgenland, raises "numerous questions that still need clarification", it said in a statement. For example, the current directive does not guarantee long-term financing. Lay activity would also no longer be possible. It is also unclear how the set age limit of 65 years can withstand foreseeable lawsuits.

According to the city of Vienna, the harmonisation directive is also strongly based on the provisions of personal assistance at the workplace and is therefore "not suitable" for setting the hourly rate for the private sector. For the reasons stated, it would be irresponsible towards the customers of the Fond Soziales Wien (FSW) to implement the harmonisation directive in its current form. "If concrete solutions are proposed by the federal government, we are happy to agree to Vienna's accession to harmonisation," it said.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.