The year 2023 will be marked by preparations for the anniversary of Austria’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 26 September 2008.
A highlight was the symposium “Practice meets Science” of Lebensgroß (service provider for people with and without disabilities, for young people, families, people with mental illness, people with hurdles in the labour market or refugees), held at the Congress of Graz on the 26th of September 2023. Especially impressive was the opening speech of the Federal Disability Advocate for Austria, who took office this year: https://www.behindertenanwaltschaft.gv.at/
The GovInEd-Team of the PHSt offered a multiplying event in line with the ongoing jubilee activities in the city of Graz. They developed activities focusing three focal points out of the GovInEd-Project-Development:
- Mr/Mrs Politician – Who are you? The focus was on the exchange with Mrs. Annemarie and Mr. Franz Sachernegg, teacher and politician couple and committed in Voitsberg on city and municipal level, who gave insights into the everyday life of a politician enrolled in Governance for Inclusive Education.
- I have the choice? The team informed about the right to vote and discussed accessibility in the course of political activities.
- I agree! Based on a dilemma, the participants were asked to bring about a decision-making process in a democratic way and to reach a satisfactory result for all through argumentation and discussion.
These perspectives were discussed in a concluding panel discussion with politicians and concrete steps for implementation were considered. Approximately 200 persons with disabilities and their relatives as well as persons from the ministry, politics, science, individuals and associations etc. took part. On the 26th of September 2024 we plan a multiplying follow-up “15 years UN CRPD + 1” at the PHSt, Hasnerplatz 12, 8010 Graz. Save the date!