Assistive Technologies in Austria: Exploring the Impact of Legal Frameworks and Subsidies

Description

Assistive Technology (AT) can improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities by promoting increased independence, social inclusion, and facilitating the ongoing demand for deinstitutionalization. For AT to be effective, it must allow for individualization and adaptation to the user's needs and preferences. Legislation and funding systems have a significant impact on access to AT. In Austria, there is evidence that several barriers prevent people with disabilities from accessing appropriate AT. Therefore, the submitted paper asks which legal frameworks and funding schemes in Austria influence the accessibility, affordability and use of AT, and whether existing legal frameworks and funding schemes in Austria allow for individualization in the provision of AT. A combination of research methods was used to gain a comprehensive understanding of how legal frameworks and subsidy schemes influence access to AT in Austria. The empirical findings show that there is no legal entitlement to AT. So-called benefit catalogues for AT refer primarily to medical rehabilitation measures, are not standardized and do not reflect the state of the art. The financing of AT in Austria is not transparent, some users have to rely on additional donations from private organizations, and often lengthy procedures prevent people with disabilities from immediately using the AT they need.

Period	12 Jul 2024
Event title	ICCHP 2024
Event type	Conference
Location	Linz, AustriaShow on map