not able to practice his sexuality with sufficient self-determination. A female resident told another commission that she wanted to have a child; upon enquiry by the delegation, the staff stated that this wish was not considered possible in the facility. In its final document on the country review of Austria, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities articulated its concern regarding reports that the number of persons with disabilities in institutions and facilities has risen in the past 20 years and demanded increased efforts to drive deinstitutionalisation forward. Therefore, the Committee explicitly recommends deinstitutionalisation to the regional governments as well. UN expert committee demands increased efforts Although there still are numerous facilities of significant size, during the year under review, some of these facilities were closed or concrete plans developed to create smaller, decentralised living units. Nevertheless, the NPM found that there is a particular lack of comprehensive overall concepts for deinstitutionalisation and that personal assistance for persons with disabilities as an alternative to institutional care has not been expanded. In the pursuit of the goals of the National Action Plan on Disabilities, the concept for personal assistance must be developed in cooperation between the Federal Government and the Laender. Increased deinstitutionalisation would finally be part of a paradigm shift that is particularly important to increase awareness of equality and a positive perception towards persons with disabilities. At the same time, this should include concrete steps toward increased inclusion. Overall concepts are lacking However, the prerequisite to develop such overall concepts is a comprehensive understanding of the concept of deinstitutionalisation and the requirements associated with it. The fundamental principle is that persons with disabilities can choose a way of living that is suitable for them individually and that they receive the necessary support and services they need to do so. There is no differentiation here between “serious” or “slight” disabilities. People who require a great deal of assistance also have the right to a self-determined life in their own residence. Decentralisation is not the same thing as deinstitutionalisation Implementing this principle requires taking the wishes of those affected as a measure and recognising that they are the experts of their own lives. In order to enable them to have a choice, it is necessary to make diverse ways of living available and to enable people to have a personal budget. Decentralisation of facilities, which has already taken place in some cases, is an important step in this direction, but it is insufficient. The wishes of the persons affected are decisive Rather, people must be enabled to plan their everyday life according to their own personal preferences and needs and to participate in society at every level. The concept of social space and community issues should be used. 74