The implementation of the UN Disability rights convention in austria

1. Max Rubisch Work Forum for the Implementation of the UN Disability Rights Convention Brussels, 18-19 November 2010 The implementationofthe UN Disability rightsconvention in austria

2. Republic of Austria 9 Länder (regional authorities) 2357 Municipalities Max Rubisch Die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Österreich

3. Federal Constitution: Disability policy is in Austria a cross-cutting issue (The responsibility is divided between Federation, Länder and Municipalities) Federal Competences: General Social Policy, Social Insurance, Labour Law, Protection of Employees, Labour-Market Policy, Human Rights Competences of Länder: Building regulations, Social Assistance, Social Services Divided competences: Education, Protection against discrimination, Transport regulations Disability Policy in Austria Max Rubisch Die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Österreich

4. The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection (BMASK) is by Law responsible for disability issues at federal level: General questions in disability policy Coordination of disability policy at federal level European and international aspects of disability policy Reports of Federal Government concerning the situation of persons with disabilities in Austria (2003, 2008) 5. Disability Strategies and Action Plans Focal point: BMASK together with the Federal Social Office (9 Offices as regional contact points) Focal point Max Rubisch Die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Österreich

5. Responsibleforcoordination: The Federal Ministryof Social Affairs, supported by different Advisory Councils Federal Disability Advisory Board at the Federal Ministryof Social Affairs (since 1990): Adviceforthe Minister ofsocialaffairs in all importantquestionsof disability policy Support forthe Minister ofsocialaffairs in thecoordinationof disability policy Submission ofOpinions, ResolutionsandRecommendations in importantquestionsof disability policy The involvementof the Federal Disability Advisory Board is mandatory in certaindecisions Coordination mechanism (1) Max Rubisch Die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Österreich

6. The compositionof the Federal Disability Advisory Board : Federal Ministries (SocialAffairs, Economy, Family, Women, Health, Finance) Political Parties in the Parliament (currently 5) Länder (2) Socialinsuranceadministration Socialpartners(6) Federal Disability Ombudsman Organisationsforpersonswithdisabilities (7) Coordination mechanism (2) Max Rubisch Die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Österreich

7. Preparationandcoordinationby the Federal Ministry ofSocialAffairs (Focal Point) Involvementof all importantactors: Parliament, Administration, Supreme Courts, Social Partners, Ombudsmenand Disability Organisations in particular (Art. 4/3) Open and transparent preparationof the reportandpublicdiscussion (Art. 35/4) Critical pointsof the Civil Society are in detaildescribed in the report (Art. 35/5) Unanimousdecisionof the entireGovernment on 5 October 2010 Transmission to the United Nations on 26 October 2010 Austrian State Report on the UN-Convention Max Rubisch Die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Österreich

8. The UN-Convention is the basisfor a comprehensive disabilitystrategy Guidelinesfor Austrian disability policyfrom 2011 to 2020 Coherencewiththe EU Disability Strategy Basis documents: Report on the Situation ofPersonswith Disabilities 2008, State Report to the UN 2010 Coordinationby the Federal Ministryof Social Affairs (Focal Point) Involvementof all importantactors, in particular the Civil Society Completionisscheduledfor the end of 2011 Austrian Disability Action Plan Max Rubisch Die Umsetzung der UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention in Österreich

9. Thank you for your attention!