SPÖ Provincial Parliament Club

Social policy milestone in Burgenland

(Bild: Daisy Daisy - stock.adobe.com)

The new Equal Opportunities Act was passed by the Burgenland state parliament on March 21, 2024. It is the most innovative and socially responsible equal opportunities law in Austria. It enables the more than 21,000 Burgenlanders with impairments or disabilities to participate fully in social, cultural, economic and political life.

"With this law, Burgenland is catapulting itself to the forefront of equal opportunities for people with disabilities in order to improve self-determined participation in various areas of life. The law was developed in collaboration with Burgenland's disability associations and experts," said SPÖ parliamentary group chairman and social spokesperson Roland Fürst.

Mobile before stationary
The general motto for the law is "mobile before inpatient" and thus also follows the social policy orientation of the state government, for example in the areas of care or health. "The benefits affect all areas of life, from early support for children, school assistance, home support, sheltered work and personal assistance to social rehabilitation measures and support for relatives. We are also spending 10 million euros more, the budget is being increased from 70 to over 80 million," explains Fürst.

New personal assistance
Personal assistance has been completely reorganized in cooperation with the federal government and the other federal states. Previously, people with a care level of 3 or higher were eligible, but now people with a degree of disability of 50 percent or higher are also eligible. The reference period is set at 14 to 65 years.

(Bild: Viacheslav Yakobchuk - stock.ado)

Disability associations and representatives welcome new law
"The new Equal Opportunities Act gives people with impairments or disabilities better opportunities to participate in success and appreciation in education, society, the world of work and leisure. The promotion of equal rights for people with disabilities is particularly important to us in the staff representation, because it means we all have the same opportunities, can progress in life and achieve our goals," explains Arthur Sowa, Disability Representative in the Burgenland Provincial Civil Service. Particularly in the case of children with disabilities, care must be taken from the outset to ensure that educational institutions and leisure activities are accessible and barrier-free.

Age limit raised to 65 years
"We live in a modern world and it must also be technically possible for certain barriers to be removed and for all people to have the right to be part of society. In this respect, it is also to be welcomed that the age limit has been raised to 65," says Sowa.