For years, a Viennese woman with a walking disability has been unable to use a vehicle belonging to someone else in a way that is accessible to disabled people. The reason: her disabled parking permit must be displayed visibly in her own vehicle, even though a public parking space is reserved for her. In this case, her car’s number plate is clearly identified by an additional plate attached to it.
For the woman concerned, this practice means that the permit cannot be used in other vehicles at the same time. This is a barrier that could easily be avoided, yet it makes life even more difficult for a person with a disability. Driving to a holiday destination without barriers, or parking a replacement car when necessary, thus becomes a challenge.
Ombudsperson Christoph Luisser commented on this on 27 June 2026 on the ORF programme ‘Bürgeranwalt’: “I am calling quite clearly for the abolition of the requirement to deposit disability parking permits. People with disabilities must not be discriminated against. This is also required by Article 7 of the Federal Constitutional Law, which defines the principle of equal treatment as a national objective.”
An eleven-year battle for concessions from the authorities
A battle against windmills that has now been going on for more than eleven years, has involved four Ombudspersons and has so far failed to yield any success. Since the Ombudsman’s Office has spoken out in favour of amending the legal framework and abolishing the mandatory deposit of disabled parking permits, the onus has since been on the legislature and the authorities. However, despite years of suffering, they show no inclination to secure barrier-free mobility independent of one’s own vehicle.
“The only thing that has changed throughout the entire process is the authorities’ justifications. Initially, they argued on the grounds of suspected abuse, which placed all disabled people under blanket suspicion without any evidence whatsoever. Subsequently, the Minister for Transport responsible stated that he was new to the post and needed time to familiarise himself with the matter. Then it was explained that a Europe-wide solution was being sought, only to return once again to the suspicion of abuse. Now the Ministry wishes to rid itself of the matter by suddenly claiming it is not within its remit. “The justifications go round in circles and the whole process is being dragged out, even though only a few words would need to be deleted from the Highway Code,” said the Ombudsperson, expressing his indignation at the convoluted procedure.
