Overview
- The cabinet draft for the Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz creates a broad ‘disproportionate and unreasonable burden’ exception that excludes all structural changes from required accommodations for private companies.
- Official data show deep access gaps in everyday services and health care, with 64% of doctor practices and 75% of psychological practices reporting no accessibility features and only about 39% of physiotherapy clinics wheelchair-accessible.
- The bill removes key enforcement tools by excluding private damages claims and collective legal remedies, leaving compliance dependent on voluntary action by businesses.
- The government estimates annual costs at about €1.35 million, a figure critics say is far too low to justify weakening obligations and that the draft delays full public-building compliance until 2045.
- Public pressure is rising: demonstrators and activists staged protests and an Economics Ministry occupation, and experts gave critical testimony during the parliamentary hearing held on Monday to demand binding rules and faster implementation.