Austrian organizations demand reforms for school inclusion

A new comparative report by Lebenshilfe Österreich, Diakonie Österreich, and Inklusion Österreich reveals significant regional disparities in school inclusion across Austria. The analysis indicates that access to inclusive education is largely determined by a student's place of residence, a situation described as a 'residential lottery.'

In the 2024/25 school year, 31,411 students were identified as having special educational needs. More than one-third (36.6 percent) attended special schools, despite studies suggesting that special schooling can negatively impact future professional careers compared to inclusive education.

Regional inclusion rates vary drastically, ranging from 84 percent in Styria to 43 percent in Tyrol. Even the states with the highest inclusion rates, such as Styria, Carinthia, and Upper Austria, are noted to fall short of the requirements set by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Critics argue that current investments still favor special schools over inclusive models and call for increased funding for interdisciplinary support, including school psychologists and assistants.