Women* with disabilities in Austria continue to be significantly disadvantaged in key areas of life. They are less likely to be employed, are at greater risk of poverty and exclusion, and often report high levels of psychological stress and a particularly intense mental load.

It is precisely these challenges that are addressed by the project “Women* with disabilities as mentors for economic self-determination – strategies for reducing mental load”, implemented by the LBI-GMR in partnership with the FmB – Interessensvertretung Frauen* mit Behinderungen. Launched at the end of 2025, it is now gaining momentum. At its core is a nationwide mentor dialogue concept, which is supported by women* with disabilities and facilitates the exchange of experiences, barriers, resources, and everyday strategies.

On January 28, 2026, the constitutive meeting of the peer expert advisory board took place. The advisory board is made up of five experts from Vienna, Salzburg, and Vorarlberg and brings a variety of perspectives from peer counseling, psychosocial support, feminist practice, science, and political work. Its members have extensive expertise in accessibility needs, structural barriers, and everyday hurdles, as well as in living with different forms of disability, including learning difficulties, psychosocial disabilities, mobility impairments, sensory impairments, and multiple disabilities.

The Peer Expert Advisory Board provides technical support for the project and, in particular, assists in the development of the mentor dialogues. The constituent meeting marks the start of the active implementation phase: In the coming months, several meetings will be held by women* with disabilities throughout Austria to exchange experiences, highlight needs, and jointly develop ways to achieve greater economic self-determination.

Members of the peer expert advisory board:

Brigitte Heller (founder and chairwoman of Verein Lichterkette / mental health mentor / advisory board member of VertretungsNetz / consultant in the field of vocational rehabilitation / ISO-certified trainer with a focus on inclusion)

Michaela Joch (University of Vienna – Inclusive Education Department / expert on intersectional ableism)

Isabell Naronnig (Ninlil – Empowerment and counseling for women* with disabilities / Management and counseling for feminist women* peer counseling for women* with disabilities)

Monika Schmerold (knack:punkt – Self-Determined Living Salzburg, SLIÖ – Self-Determined Living Initiatives Austria)

Melanie Wilhelmer (social worker / supervisor and coach / member of the Vorarlberg Monitoring Committee)