Country Report Austria
Austria is located in Central
Europe. It is a predominantly mountainous country with an area of
83,855 km2. Italy, Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein,
Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia form the
Austrian border. Austria's population is growing toward eight million.
Twenty percent of the total population (1, 54 million people) is living
in the capital, called Vienna. About one tenth of a percent, that means
eight to ten thousand people are deaf.
The Austrian Association
of Sign language Interpreters (ÖGSDV) was founded in 1998. We are happy
to celebrate our 10th anniversary next march.
Today we have 70 full
members, working in seven regions of Austria. The majority is working
as free lancers. In the most parts of Austria there is no company
managing the assignments of sign language interpreters. The
organisation of the appointments is made by the interpreters
themselves. To share information and stay in contact the interpreters
in their regions are meeting at regular intervals.
In Austria we
have the possibility to attend about five workshops the year, organised
by the ÖGSDV to get further training and continuously fresh ups of our
skills.
The goal of the ÖGSDV board is to set and keep quality
standards, consolidate a fair payment and good working conditions for
Sign Language Interpreters in Austria.
Österreichischer Gebärdensprach-DolmetscherInnen-Verband
www.oegsdv.at