Universal Periodic Review

Establish child-friendly rehabilitation facilities for children and young people with disabilities and avoid placing children and young people with disabilities in facilities for adults

Proponent:

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

In Austria, the need for child-orientated rehabilitation and support for children and young people with disabilities is being increasingly emphasised. A central goal is not to place these children in institutions for adults, but to create special, age-appropriate rehabilitation options. This is supported in particular by the promotion of specialised facilities and the focus on family-oriented rehabilitation (FOR). This type of rehabilitation takes into account both the physical and psychosocial needs of the child, while also involving parents and family members in order to maximise the success of the therapy. It also emphasises the importance of an inclusive approach and the need for appropriate care services to be available in outpatient formats. To ensure that children are not placed in adult centres, the development and expansion of child-friendly rehabilitation centres is also called for. This approach is in line with international standards, which emphasise that children must not only be treated in protected environments, but also in environments that promote their development. This is achieved both by improving the infrastructure and through specific, child-orientated care concepts;