Assistance requirements for people with disabilities

Duration 2012–2015

Institute Competence Center for Nonprofit Organizations and Social Entrepreneurship

Province of Lower Austria, organizations in Lower Austria that support people with disabilities (e.g. Caritas, assisted living centers, psychosocial centers, VKKJ) and people with intellectual disabilities

There is little data on people who require support services in Austria. So there are no valid figures on the total number of people who need assistance for everyday life, on the different groups in need of assistance, and the intensity of support required. This not only makes it difficult to plan social spaces. It is also problematic in light of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Austria ratified in 2008. The Convention stipulates that all persons with disabilities must be able to fully exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms and participate equally in society.

The Lower Austrian requirements plan for people with intellectual disabilities and their support needs showed that the province will have to create 732 additional institutional care places by 2025.

The research project aimed to identify the number of people with intellectual disabilities currently living in Lower Austria, assess their support needs, and predict growth over the coming years. These numbers could then serve as the basis for drafting a state requirements plan for services to be provided to people with disabilities. The researchers began by surveying all the Lower Austrian institutions where people with intellectual disabilities were either living, working, accessing advising services, or being treated. In an empirical survey, data about their support needs were collected. The survey also included any available data on the level of schooling and the benefits they received. This data was used to draw up a forecast for the overall support services required for the years 2020 and 2025. The requirements plan revealed that an additional 732 people will need a place in a care institution in Lower Austria by 2025. Throughout the project, groups of self-advocates (people with disabilities who are 18 years of age or older) and a steering group participated and provided feedback. Meetings were held in simplified German, and a shorter version of the requirements plan was also drafted in simplified German. In addition, the research project provided statistical data not covered in the standard surveys conducted by Statistics Austria.

The precise quantitative and qualitative identification of the services required by people in need of cognitive and multiple forms of assistance promoted the development and adequate design of support services in Lower Austria.

The research project generated a detailed analysis of anticipated assistance requirements for people with intellectual disabilities for the years 2020 and 2025. Based on this forecast, Lower Austria began rethinking and adapting the range of assistance options available to people with intellectual disabilities. An adequate service plan was designed based on the precise quantitative and qualitative needs identified, including the number of living spaces, assistance, and therapy services, and the accompanying budget. By creating a foundation for planning and providing a wide range of support services for people in need of assistance, the research thus contributes to SDG 3 “Good Health and Well-Being,” SDG 4 “Quality Education,” SDG 10 “Reduced Inequalities,” and SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. Additionally, the findings summarized in the requirements plan inspired additional participatory processes involving selfadvocates and representatives from the institutions that provide assistance to people with disabilities in Lower Austria. A range of services to improve independent living are currently being complied that will allow people with intellectual disabilities to live largely independent lives in their own homes with some personal assistance. The requirements plan also served as the starting point for amending and augmenting options for older people with intellectual disabilities. This led to the creation of guidelines for the age-appropriate care of elderly people with disabilities.

Assessment of the support needs of people with intellectual disabilities in Lower Austria

Requirements plan for disability benefits up to 2025

Improvement of support services for people with intellectual disabilities