Petition for families with disabilities: 12,811 votes for justice!

Petition for families with disabilities: 12,811 votes for justice!

Bregenz, Österreich - On June 11, 2025, representatives of the “Lobby for Families with Disabilities” handed over 12,811 signatures to Social Councilor Martina Rüscher. This online petition entitled "Vorarlberg families with disabilities want to go to the negotiating table" calls for a number of measures that have a direct impact on the life and rights of families with disabilities. The focus is on the immediate withdrawal of austerity measures, fairness and transparency as well as the support of affected families.

The background of this petition are alarming: Massive austerity measures in the area of ​​equal opportunities, which include savings of 5.5 million euros, have prompted those affected to become active. The signatures were handed over to the state parliamentary groups, media representatives: inside, relatives and people with disabilities. The co-founders of the lobby-Nicole Klocker-Manser from the parents and inclusion network, Renate Vogel from Autistehilfe Vorarlberg, Martina Natter from the Down Syndrome AG and Adriane Feurstein from Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg emphasize the importance of a stable and reliable network for affected families.

demands for a fairer future

The petition demands are clear and include far-reaching points such as the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities. Article 23 of this convention obliges the contracting states to take measures against discrimination in the areas of marriage, family and partnership and ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to these rights. Among other things, this applies to the protection of the right of disabled people to found a family and take on parental responsibility without being discriminated against on the basis of their disability. [Disabled Rights Convention.info] points out that the child's well -being must be decisive in all family law relationships.

Martina Natter commented on the great response to the petition and hopes for serious exams of the demands by politics. A support group for equal opportunities is to be set up for autumn 2025 in order to create new perspectives for people with disabilities. "We want to collect the concrete effects of the austerity measures and bring them into the support group," announced Adriane Feurstein. Affected families are asked to send their experiences to the initiative.

future steps and global perspectives

The step to found the "Lobby for Families with Disabilities" on May 5, 2025, the European Protest Day to equality for people with disabilities, shows that the desire for change in society is strong. In an international context, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which grants around 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, gives an important instrument for promoting human rights. [bmas.de] emphasizes that only about 40 countries have implemented national disabled political legislation, which illustrates how important local initiatives are in Austria.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the political decision -makers will react to this strong signal of those affected. However, one thing is certain: the voices of families with disabilities are to be heard, and the demands for equal opportunities must finally be implemented in action.