Personal Assistance Policy published
Vienna (OTS) – Today the Ministry of Social Affairs published the guidelines for the new pilot project for personal assistance in Austria.
“It is a milestone for the nationwide regulation for personal assistance and a self-determined life for people with disabilities”,
says Roswitha Schachinger, Managing Director of the WAG Assistance Cooperative.
The guideline for the harmonization of personal assistance creates the basis for a uniform funding option for personal assistance for all nine federal states. For participating federal states, personal assistance in the private sector is now co-financed by the federal government at around 50%. With a total of €100 million.
All nine countries are welcome
It starts in the federal states of Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. “Now the remaining federal states need to be willing to join the pilot project. Then personal assistance for people with disabilities can be effective throughout Austria and thus deinstitutionalization can be promoted”.
explains the long-time managing director and sees this as an important step towards the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“With this federal directive, personal assistance will be available to everyone for the first time, regardless of the type of disability. This possibility will make it easier for many people to lead a self-determined life.
“, makes clear Jasna Puskaric, executive director of the WAG assistance cooperative.
In addition, low-threshold access should be guaranteed. With the so-called “One-Stop-Shop” the administrative effort for people who need assistance is significantly simplified.
More social security for personal assistants
For personal assistants, the new directive brings much better social security than employees. You must be employed. “The current precarious situation on the labor market makes it difficult for many people with disabilities to find personal assistants. Hiring personal assistants can bring improvements here. In addition, fair working conditions in the social sector are essential.”
emphasizes Christoph Dirnbacher, Managing Director of the WAG Assistenzgenossenschaft.
Questions & contact:
WAG Assistance Cooperative
Executive Director
+43 699 17985355
r.schachinger@wag.or.at
www.wag.or.at
