A/HRC/20/26/Add.1 measures adopted by the Federal and Lander governments to increase access to culture, include: (a) measures to increase access for youth, such as free access to all Federal Museums for young people up to the age of 19; (b) measures to facilitate access to culture for persons with disabilities; and (c) schemes enabling people with low incomes to participate in cultural life and cultural activities, such as the Kulturpass initiative that offers people living in precarious financial circumstances the opportunity to enjoy art and culture free of charge. The Government also supports numerous private initiatives aimed at promoting intercultural exchanges among members of different communities, such as the excellent Brunnenpassage initiative in Vienna, where people from different nationalities, ages and socio-cultural backgrounds participate together in community arts projects. The initiative fosters mutual understanding and learning from each other. Accessibility is ensured to all, with free-of-charge participation and a team that speaks nine languages. 44. The Independent Expert is of the view, however, that effective action to enhance the implementation of cultural rights remains scattered, is poorly known, lacks feedback mechanisms and often receives ad-hoc financial support which impedes longer-term strategic planning. On occasion, decisions by public authorities concerning the funding of these initiatives are considered to lack transparency. An institutional framework would facilitate up-scaling, having a multiplier effect by building on lessons learned. 45. Persons belonging to minorities, in particular the Roma and non-recognized minorities, migrants and socially disadvantaged people continue to face challenges in their access to cultural activities; theatres, opera houses and museums are still mostly frequented by a limited, educated public.36 Of concern are numerous cases reported of discrimination against persons of African, Latin-American or Roma origin being denied access to public places, such as bars or discotheques. Of the 21,500 migrants from African countries residing in Austria (0.3 per cent of the total population), 54 per cent live in Vienna. 37 Africans in Austria face ongoing obstacles in accessing cultural life, employment and accommodation. In 2010, a positive precedent was set when a civil society organization supported the submission of a formal complaint by a black individual who had been refused entrance to a jazz bar on racist grounds. The night club was ordered to pay a €1,440 Euro fine in compensation to the victim.38 46. The Independent Expert notes that members of some minorities often face double discrimination in their access to culture because ethnic and national minorities are often also less secure economically. The expansion of initiatives and the adoption of a more comprehensive and systematic approach to make culture accessible to all would enable targeted policies to better support the cultural rights of all, particularly minorities and disadvantaged groups. Persons with disabilities 47. The Equal Treatment for Persons with Disabilities Act came into force in Austria in 2006. It prohibits direct and indirect discrimination against persons with disabilities and provides that relatives fall under the protection of the Act. The Federal Constitutional Law recognizes Austrian sign language as an independent language.39 Following ratification by Austria of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008, the Government amended the Federal Disability Act to create a national monitoring 36 37 38 39 How to achieve sustainable interest in culture, Kulturkontakt Magazine, Autumn 2010, p. 30. See: Schwarze Menschen in Österreich; Lagebericht, Jahresbericht 2009, Hrsg. INOU/ACHALEKE, Clara Akinyosoye. Ibid. Federal Constitutional Law, Art. 8 (3). 11