Disability Ombudsman Steger demands fundamental reform of the assessment system
Vienna, July 13, 2026
Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
Summary
Austrian Disability Ombudsman Christine Steger has presented a new Policy Briefing on structural barriers in the granting of benefits. In it, she calls for a fundamental reform, nationally uniform quality standards, and a human rights-based assessment model.
Vienna, July 13, 2026
Austrian Disability Ombudsman Christine Steger published a new Policy Briefing on Monday documenting structural weaknesses in the assessment system for people with disabilities and calling for a comprehensive reform.
The briefing, titled „Strukturelle Hürden bei der Leistungsvergabe," shows, according to Steger, that those affected across Austria are confronted with multiple assessments, fragmented responsibilities, and an outdated assessment system. In a press release, the Disability Ombudsman stated that these are not isolated problems but rather „strukturelle Schwächen des gesamten Systems". The result of the nationwide analysis is clear: „Über alle Bundesländer hinweg werden nahezu identische Probleme geschildert."
Nationwide analysis from networking meetings
The briefing is based on networking meetings held by the Disability Ombudsman in the first half of 2026, in which several hundred representatives of self-advocacy organizations, interest groups, authorities, social insurance providers, as well as experts from science and practice took part. Benefits such as care allowance, disability pass, increased family allowance, disability pensions, and state-level benefits are addressed.
The assessments are distributed across various bodies depending on the benefit: the social insurance providers PVA, SVS, BVAEB, and AUVA, the Social Ministry Service (SMS), as well as the offices of the federal states. „Diese Parallelstrukturen führen nicht nur zu einem hohen Verwaltungsaufwand, sondern auch zu erheblichen Belastungen für die Menschen und ihre Familien, die dieses System navigieren müssen", according to Steger. Those affected would have to submit the same information „immer wieder vorlegen" to different authorities.
Criticism of the medical understanding of disability
The briefing criticizes above all that assessments and the underlying legal framework still „überwiegend auf einem medizinischen Verständnis von Behinderung beruhen". The actual impacts on daily life, existing barriers, and the concrete need for support are „vielfach zu wenig oder gar nicht berücksichtigt". Many affected individuals reported long procedural durations, contradictory assessments, and the feeling of having to „immer wieder aufs Neue 'beweisen' zu müssen" their disabilities and impairments.
Particularly affected are people with learning difficulties, mental illnesses, or neurodivergent persons, who face additional barriers as a result. In the quality discussions at the networking meetings, very short examination appointments, inconsistent assessments, a lack of specialization among examiners, insufficient accessibility, as well as sometimes unauthorized support persons and a lack of interpreting services were criticized.
Concrete reform recommendations
The briefing contains concrete recommendations to policymakers and administration: bundled responsibilities, the avoidance of multiple assessments, nationally uniform quality standards, mandatory training for examiners, accessible procedures, the right to be accompanied by a support person, as well as a „menschenrechtsbasiertes Begutachtungsmodell mit Fokus auf Teilhabebarrieren und Unterstützungsbedarf". In addition, an independent complaints body and systematic monitoring of assessment practices are called for.
The core demand of the Disability Ombudsman is the creation of an independent, multi-professional assessment body. The briefing was sent to the responsible federal and state ministries as well as other decision-makers. The Disability Ombudsman expressed her willingness to actively support the implementation of the proposed reforms.
Initial reactions and background
Concrete reactions are already underway at two levels: Following massive public criticism, the Social Ministry and PVA developed a „Maßnahmenpaket"; from September, a „Verhaltenskodex" is to apply to examiners. In addition, the legislature has in the meantime legally established the possibility of being accompanied by a support person for numerous assessments, effective September 1.
The debate is also set against the backdrop of earlier investigations: A joint investigation by APA, ORF, and Dossier published last year uncovered abuses in the assessment of people with Post Covid and ME/CFS. In March of the current year, a study commissioned by the Arbeiterkammer Oberösterreich caused criticism, which found PVA assessments to be „wenig" or „gar nicht" respectful and reported a „kasernenartigem Ton", „Anschreien" and accusations of malingering.
In addition, internal training materials of the association ÖBAK, responsible for examiner training, on ME/CFS and Post Covid became known at the end of April, which were criticized by experts as suitable for delegitimizing patients and deflecting social benefit claims. Many affected individuals report disrespectful communication and a general suspicion of unjustly receiving benefits, according to the briefing. The Disability Ombudsman positively highlights that the right to be accompanied by a support person is now legally enshrined.
Questions & Answers
Who is Austrian Disability Ombudsman Christine Steger and what is she calling for?
Christine Steger is the Austrian Disability Ombudsman. She is calling for a fundamental reform of the assessment system, including bundled responsibilities and a human rights-based assessment model.
What specific shortcomings does the Policy Briefing criticize?
The briefing documents multiple assessments, fragmented responsibilities, long procedural durations, contradictory assessments, as well as a predominantly medical understanding of disability that insufficiently considers the impacts on daily life.
What steps are already planned from September?
From September, a „Verhaltenskodex" for examiners is to come into effect, along with the legal possibility of bringing a support person to numerous assessments.
