St Gallen puts disability support reforms to a vote

Voters in the canton of St Gallen will decide on November 29 whether to approve two legal changes intended to give people with disabilities more independence, SRF reports.

One change would provide funding for independent living based on individual needs. The cantonal government hopes this will strengthen outpatient services, which it says cost less than residential facilities. It estimates net savings of about 10 million francs a year by 2034. The cantonal parliament backed the proposal without opposition.

The second change would require the canton to cover additional childcare costs when children need specialised support at a daycare centre. The measures are also intended to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The two changes are expected to cost between 1.4 million and 1.8 million francs a year. They are subject to a mandatory financial referendum, meaning voters will decide on them.

The SVP is opposing the childcare measure, arguing that too much money would go towards training and coaching childcare staff. Cantonal SVP president Walter Gartmann said the party would support a direct payment benefiting people with disabilities instead.