What Will Change for People with Disabilities in 2025

For people with disabilities, the year 2025 brings several changes. From mid-year, better accessibility must be ensured for various electronic items and offers. From the beginning of the year, larger companies are obliged to appoint an "Accessibility Officer". In addition, the first pilot projects "Wage instead of pocket money" are set to start.

"Accessibility Act" in force from June 2025

From January 1st, companies with more than 400 employees must (due to an amendment to the Disabled Employment Act) appoint an "Accessibility Officer". This person must be involved in the planning of all measures that are relevant in connection with comprehensive accessibility for people with disabilities. So far, this only applied to federal ministries and other public institutions.

In June, the "Accessibility Act" comes into force. Manufacturers, importers and dealers of digital products as well as service providers must comply with EU-wide standards and have implemented facilitations for the blind and deaf in digital applications. According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, this includes PCs, smartphones, e-readers, smart TVs, game consoles, ATMs and ticket machines, as well as consumer banking services. This change also covers certain transport services and online shops (e-commerce).

Pilot Projects "Wage Instead of Pocket Money" Launch

In 2025, the first pilot projects "Wage instead of pocket money" will also be implemented. They are carried out by the federal states and support people with increased support needs in day-structure facilities in entering the regular labour market.

The affected individuals should thereby have the chance to receive fair remuneration and are covered by social insurance. Through a directive of the Ministry of Social Affairs, 36 million euros are made available to the states in a first step. They contribute with an additional financial third.

Funding for Training of Sign Language Interpreters

To increase the supply of sign language interpreters in Austria, non-university training will also be promoted in the future. The establishment and expansion of referral centres for interpreter offers from non-profit organisations will also be financially supported. This is intended to improve the participation of deaf people in the long term. The Ministry of Social Affairs provides a total of four million euros for this purpose.

(APA/Red)

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