Essl Foundation publishes the first social index on persons with disabilities
In November 2010 the Essl Foundation is presenting the first Essl Social Index as a pilot study. This is a rating system with which the living conditions and legal situation of disadvantaged persons in specific countries are rendered measurable and comparable on an international basis. It is produced annually together with NGOs and stakeholders representing groups of disadvantaged persons and covers some of society’s most urgent social themes. The aim is to locate best practice examples worldwide and to develop the most concrete criteria for improvement. The initial pilot study for the Essl Social Index was conducted, and is now published, in the area of persons with disabilities (Essl Social Index on Disability Governance (ESI-DG)).
The first Essl Social Index very concretely measures the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted in 2007 and has been signed meanwhile by 147 states. Using it as a base, 44 social indicators were defined. More than 30 organisations in 15 countries and the Austrian federal provinces participated, using questionnaires and an online tool. The Essl Foundation was supported by NGOs as well as the European Foundation Centre in Brussels and the International Disability Rights Monitor in the USA. The survey received scholarly support from the KfW Endowed Chair for Entrepreneurial Finance at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and was concluded at the end of October 2010.
With respect to Austria, the results show that human rights are implemented in many countries better than they are here. Regarding specific implementation of the right to lead an independent life, barrier-free accessibility and in the area of statistics, there is a clear need for remediation. Harmonisation of implementation within Austria appears necessary as well.
Viewed internationally, the most exemplary implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been in Spain, Sweden, Great Britain and Portugal. Barrier-free accessibility, possibilities for access to information and cultural events as well as inclusion in the school system and the general right to lead an independent life are notable problem areas.
