In Austria, as in other countries, unemployment among the disabled has increased in recent years. In 1993, the average number of unemployed disabled (physically disabled, the blind, the deaf and those with mental and psychological disabilities) amounted to 26,873; by 1997, the number had risen to 37,471. Guideline 19 of the National Action Plan (NAP) for employment pays specific attention to integrating the disabled into the labour market, whereby, in principle, all labour market policy measures are open to the disabled in the same manner as to the non-disabled. On top of this, a number of measures aimed specifically at the disabled are also available.
Since 1 August, an additional measure targeted specifically at the disabled has been available, one mentioned in the NAP: the "Working Foundation for the Vocational Training of the Disabled" (Arbeitsstiftung für die berufliche Qualifizierung Behinderter). The law on unemployment insurance has been amended (Arbeitslosenversicherungsgesetz I 18 (10)) to enable a disabled person entitled to unemployment benefit to maintain this entitlement for a longer period by participating in a measure recognised by the state office and provided by a vocational rehabilitation institution. The measure is recognised in writing by the state office. This measure, specially oriented towards training schemes for unemployed disabled persons, follows in this respect the tried-and-tested structure of other working foundations in Austria.
Until now, recipients of the transitional allowance from the statutory pension insurance scheme or accident insurance scheme were unable to claim unemployment benefit. This restriction has now been removed, enabling disabled persons, among others drawing the transitional allowance, to claim unemployment benefit for the duration of their participation in such a measure.
EU – European Commission DG EMPL/A/2 J
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