Government Action on Disability Policy
A Global Survey
Part II - Government Replies as Country Profiles

Liechtenstein

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Office for Foreign Affairs (13 May 1996)
General policy

There is no officially recognized disability policy in Liechtenstein.

Since the adoption of the standard Rules the Government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by special legislation. The judicial mechanism adopted to protect their rights is due process (legal remedy through courts). The non-judicial mechanism available includes independent expert bodies.

The general legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, political rights, access to court-of-law, right to privacy, property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling, financial security, employment.

There is a new legislation concerning disability (e.g. artificial aids for disabled persons), enacted since the adoption of the Standard Rules.

Accessibility

There are laws and regulations requiring that public places are made accessible. No responsible body exists to observe accessibility in the build environment. The following measures have been promoted to facilitate accessibility in the build environment: marking parking areas, installing lifts and accessible toilets, improving accessibility in housing, providing financial incentives/support for accessibility measures in housing, installing special lighting for visually impaired and provision of specially adapted motor vehicles. The national Liechtenstein association of disabled provides a transport service which is subsidized. It is available for medical treatment, education, work and recreational purpose and for any other reason where no public or private transport facilities are available. When planning to build accessible environments the most difficult obstacles are attitudinal factors, lack of legislation and regulations, lack of knowledge, research and information, lack of enforcement mechanisms. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the raining of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language for deaf people has no officially recognized status, is not used as the first language in education of deaf people, and is not recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. There are no Government measures for encouraging media to make their services available for persons with disabilities. However, measures exists to making other forms of public information services, like the annual information by media from the Invalid Insurance Establishment available. The following services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others: literature in Braille/tape, sign language interpretation is available for major events, and technical equipment for communication.


Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization of persons with disabilities. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with Governmental institutions. Organizations are always consulted when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations take place at national and local level. The Government financially supports existing and new organizations. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in Government, legislature, judicial authorities, political parties. The organizations have the role to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures, contribute to public awareness, provide services and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

In Liechtenstein there is no national co-ordinating committee or similar body.

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