The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) is an international treaty under which its State Parties commit to respect, protect and fulfil the applicability of the codified human rights for persons with disabilities. It was adopted in 2006 by the UN General Assembly. Austria ratified the Convention in 2008.

In doing so, the Republic made the commitment under internal law to comply with the UN CRPD. Upon ratification a reservation was made, whereby the UN CRPD must be implemented via Austrian legislation.

The Independent Monitoring Committee was founded under Article 33 (2) to independently monitor the implementation.

As foreseen in Article 33 (1) the Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection coordinates as focal point in matters regarding the UN CRPD on behalf of the Republic.

In addition to the Convention itself, the Optional Protocol was signed, in which Austria acknowledges the responsibility of the CRPD Committee to receive and review complaints of violations of rights entailed in the UN CRPD.