Act on Equality for People with Disabilities
Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz (BGG)

Act on Equality for People with Disabilities (Equality for People with Disabilities Act – BGG) of 27 April 2002, last amended by Art. 262 of the Ordinance of 31 October 2006 

The purpose of this Act is to abolish and prevent any discrimination against persons with disabilities, to ensure equal participation of persons with disabilities in the life of our society and to enable them to lead self-determined life, whilst duly taking account of their special needs. The Act stipulates that the special concerns of women with disabilities have to be taken into account and that their special disadvantages have to be overcome in order to bring about equality between men and women in our society.

Pursuant to this Act, individuals are considered as disabled when there is a high probability that their physical functions, intellectual ability or mental health deviates from the typical state at a given age and when their participation in the life of our society is restricted as a result.

The Act defines the term ‘barrier-free’, determines the content of actions to create a barrier-free environment and to attain the agreed targets, and it provides for representation powers in proceedings under administrative law or the Social Code.

The Act provides for the appointment of a Commissioner for the Interests of Persons with Disabilities (Beauftragter für die Belange behinderter Menschen) by the Federal Government and defines his/her responsibilities and powers.