As part of the project “Women* with disabilities as mentors for economic self-determination – strategies for reducing mental load”, three exchange meetings were held: an initial meeting in Vienna, a virtual session, and a regional dialogue in Linz. The final meeting will take place on June 26, 2026, in Innsbruck. The goal is and has been to share experiences, highlight structural problems, and discuss options for action.

In January in Vienna

The wide range of issues was already evident at the kickoff event on February 27, 2026, in Vienna: from limited employment opportunities and the additional costs of support services and therapies to complex and opaque support and social benefit systems. Many participants reported financial insecurity at all stages of life, particularly with regard to concerns about poverty in old age. At the same time, it became clear how closely financial issues are linked to self-determination as well as to life and future prospects. This is evident, for example, when income limits or assessment processes influence how women* can plan their lives, pursue employment, access healthcare, or make financial decisions.

Online in March

The subsequent online meeting on March 25, 2026, which was attended by women* from all over Austria, focused on issues of responsibility and care for oneself and for others. This tension became particularly evident in the context of care work and mental load. It became clear that the mental load experienced by women* with disabilities extends beyond the frequently discussed context of balancing work and family life. Additional demands arise, for example, from the organization, coordination, and planning of support services, as well as from the daily struggle to overcome barriers and structural hurdles in everyday life. Furthermore, the discussion addressed how intersectional forms of discrimination beyond gender and disability, such as social background or education, impact economic circumstances and that there is often little awareness of this interplay. Participants also reflected on how societal expectations and attributions, particularly in the context of money and finances, generate feelings of shame and guilt. All participants agreed that this is not a matter of individual, but rather of structural failure.

In April in Linz

The third dialogue, held on April 20, 2026, in Linz, focused on the question of how women* with disabilities can achieve financial security throughout their lives. Once again, concerns about poverty in old age were a prominent theme. Discontinuous employment histories and part-time work have a direct impact on pension amounts. However, alongside these challenges, positive approaches and strategies also emerged. Mutual exchange was described as particularly important. Many participants found sharing experiences to be empowering. It created space for mutual support, new perspectives, and the exchange of knowledge. At the same time, it became clear how important it is to have resources that enable a guided and reflective examination of one’s own financial situation. In particular, the need for accessible and understandable information about existing entitlements and available support options was highlighted. It was also emphasized how important it is to know which agencies women* with disabilities can turn to with various concerns in order to make informed financial decisions in different life situations.

Summary so far

The three dialogues made it clear that the economic self-determination of women* with disabilities is closely linked to structural conditions, access to information, and societal expectations. At the same time, they highlighted the importance of spaces for exchange, guidance, mutual support, and shared reflection in order to bring experiences to light, share knowledge, and strengthen one’s own capacity for action.

The project is being implemented by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Fundamental and Human Rights in collaboration with the Association of Women with Disabilities (FmB) and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Women, Science, and Research. It examines how women* with disabilities can be empowered in their economic self-determination and relieved of mental load through peer exchange and mentoring. To ensure the project is easily understandable to as many women* as possible, we use a title in simplified language in addition to the official title: “Money and Women* with Disabilities – Pathways to Relief and Greater Self-Determination.”

You can find more information about the project and the discussions on FmB here.