Inclusion fund required: 500 million euros for people with disabilities!

Inclusion fund required: 500 million euros for people with disabilities!

Österreich - On March 27, 2025, NaBg. Mag. Christian Ragger, the disabled -specific spokesman for the Freedom Party in Austria (FPÖ), brought in an application for a resolution to create an inclusion fund in the National Council. Ragger emphasized the urgency of this application because he identifies himself as part of the government program of ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS. Despite this anchorage, the application was rejected by the parties mentioned. Ragger called for the inclusion fund to be equipped with at least 500 million euros annually from 2025. The main goal of the fund is the ensuring of personal assistance in school and work.

Another central point that Ragger emphasizes is the need for unbureaucratic handling in the granting and payment of the financial means. This is essential in order to actually be able to react effectively to the needs of people with disabilities. At the same time, Ragger criticized the progress in the implementation of the national action plan and raised the demand for a nationwide uniform disability policy that could possibly be secured by a 15a agreement or legal regulations.

political framework and European perspective

In a broader context, around 87 million people with disabilities or long-lasting health problems live in the 27 EU member states. Austria is actively committed to equality and the rights of these groups at both EU and international level. The EU in particular pursues goals in areas such as employment, protection of discrimination and accessibility. For this purpose, the European Commission presented the announcement "Union of Equality: Strategy for People with Disabilities 2021-2030" on March 3, 2021. This strategy aims to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities across the EU.

The focus of this EU disabled right strategy largely coordinates with the Austrian National Action Plan Disability 2022-2030. Particular attention is paid to combating discrimination in different areas of life, whereby legal provisions and measures to remove barriers in the area are essential components. The EU pursues the strategy of disability mainstreaming, which demands a consideration of the needs of people with disabilities in all political areas.

future challenges

In addition, the European Social Fund (ESF) is used to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities on the labor market. The ESF plus 2021-2027 funding program has focus such as equality, active inclusion and access to lifelong learning. Another legal progress is the "Web Accessibility Directive", which was adopted in 2016 for accessible access to public websites. A new accessibility law in Austria should come into force in 2025.

ragger emphasized the need for a clear political will to support people with disabilities, in particular the demand for a wage instead of pocket money for those affected. These demands are directly related to the goals of the EU inclusion strategy, which strives for both the improvement in living conditions and the active participation of people with disabilities in society.

The challenges are therefore clearly outlined: it is important to improve the political framework, to provide financial resources and to actively reduce social barriers in order to promote an inclusive society. The developments in Austria and the EU will be crucial for the implementation of these goals.