Peer Counseling in Upper-Austria Drawing and Copyright by David Werner

History 2008: Peer Counseling was formalized under the Upper Austrian Equal Oppurtunities Act. (§17) 2008:The Empowerment-Center (EMC) as a center for Peer Counseling and education was founded in Linz by the Independent Living Initiative Upper-Austria (SLI OÖ). The EMC is financed by the local government. 2009: The EMC submits a concept for disability-specific Peer Counseling qualification courses at the local government together with FAB Organos as responsible training organization.

History 2009: Jurists of the local government in Upper Austria create an amendment of the Social Professions Act introducing Peer Counseling as a social profession based on the concept for the Peer Counseling qualification courses and achieved the formalization in September. 2009: In November start of a Peer Counseling qualification course for people with psychiatric experiences and start of a Peer Counseling qualification course for people with physical disabilities in the Empowerment-Center with FAB Organos as responsible training organization.

History 2011: In June start of the first Peer Counseling qualification course for people with intellectual disabilities. For this course the whole content was translated in easy-to-read language by an organization called KI-I. KI-I is a network of competence and information technology based in the technical university in Linz, to promote the integration of people with disability : Start of the second Peer Counseling qualification course for people with psychiatric experiences. All courses have been financed by the local government. Today 76 peer counselors offer Peer Counseling in Upper Austria. Most of them are working for social organizations. The working places of the Peer-Counselors are also financed by the local government.

Peer Counseling in the Upper Austrian Social Professions Act The qualification process of Peer Counseling is comprised of at least 240 teaching units and 80 hours of internship. The theoretic qualification includes the following topics: 1. Fundamental communication skills (16 units) 2. Fundamental counseling skills (80 units) 3. Introduction in Peer Counseling (48 units) 4. Information and reflection about living with disabilities (48 units) 5. Political Education and disability related laws (32 units) 6. Social Services in Upper Austria (16 units)

Peer Counseling in the Upper Austrian Social Professions Act To take part in a qualification process of Peer Counseling a minimum age of 18 years is required as well as the experience of living with some form of disability. Peer-Counselors have to attend at least 16 units of special further qualification courses every two years.

Activity fields of Peer Counseling The experience of living with some form of disability makes Peer Counseling very special and differs from other methods of counseling.

Activity fields of Peer Counseling Peer-Counselors offer other people with disablities a trustful exchange of views and experiences. Peer counselors help other people with disablilities to increase their self-confidence and to reach their own targets. Peer counselors provide the necessary support to help a person with disability to solve problems and to find the right solutions on her or his own. Peer-counselors provide guidance and advice to other people with disability thus enhancing their life-quality.

Activity fields of Peer Counseling Peer-counselors also provide guidance and advice to other people with disability when help is needed in official affairs, e.g. to get a service according to the Upper Austrian Equal Opportunities Act. Peer-counselors provide guidance and advice to other people with disability when they are discrimated because of their disability, e.g. Peer Counselors can accompany people with disabilities to conciliatory proceedings according to the Austrian Federal Disability Discrimination act.

Successful Issues New jobs for people with disabilities were established by the Peer Counseling qualification courses which are financed by the local government. Peer Counseling shows that disability is no longer considered as a deficit but as a competence to be helpful for other people with disabilities. Peer Counseling is a useful instrument to empower people with disabilities for an independent living. Peer Counseling in Upper Austria is legally recognized as a social profession that needs comprehensive education. This is unique worldwide.

Contact For further information please contact Mag. Wolfgang Glaser, Manager of the Empowerment-Center Telephone:

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