Danish Disability Organizations express concern over the new framework agreement for the disability sector, which was concluded on Thursday afternoon. The agreement, which is the first major reform in the field in almost two decades, is criticized for focusing too much on savings rather than necessary investments in better conditions for people with disabilities. Thorkild Olesen, the chairman of Danish Disability Organizations (DH), is worried that the agreement will lead to new savings that could hit people with disabilities hard. “It is short-sighted to make an agreement where the starting point is to save in the area,” he said in a press release. Although there are elements in the agreement that give reason for hope – such as a special plan for the disability sector and initiatives to reduce bureaucracy – Olesen emphasizes that the crucial factor will be whether these initiatives end up being part of a cost-cutting exercise.
The agreement, made between the government, Liberal Alliance, The Conservatives, and the Social Liberals with Minister for Social Affairs Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (S) at the helm, aims for a better use of resources in the disability sector and a simplification of the rules that currently result in high administrative costs. Ditte Brøndum, vice-chair of the Danish Association of Social Workers, shares the concern that economic considerations may hinder professional considerations. She points out that there is a great need to invest in prevention and early intervention to ensure quality in case processing. “There is a need to invest in prevention, early intervention, and good quality in case processing, so that it becomes possible to use the money wisely,” she says.
The framework agreement also includes a simplification of the additional expenses allowance, which covers extra costs associated with a disability, and aims for more professionalism in case processing, which has been a desire from various sides.