14.8 percent of disabled were mentally disturbed, and 5.2 percent were hearing or sight-impaired. Manufacturers of rehabilitation and home health care equipment have faced difficult economic times as a result of health care reform in Germany since mid-1996. While the sales volume has not decreased significantly, unit prices have experienced a sharp decline and the introduction of new accounting systems under the health care reform act, with flat rates per case, have resulted in a reduction of annual turnover averaging 20 percent. Only a handful of firms active in this sector achieve annual sales of over DM 100 million. The vast majority recorded turnovers of less than DM 30 million for 1998.
Market analysts expect the downward trend to continue.
As a result of sluggish sales, massive job cuts in the manufacturing sector have slashed workforces by up to 50 percent in Germany, and manufacturers are relocating their production into less labor-costly countries in eastern Europe or Asia. According to industry contacts, the health care reform will result in the consumer being able to choose and buy items previously prescribed by the physician. At REHA, a oDisabled People at Worko special display highlighted disabled-friendly jobs, consulting and funding packages. According to market experts, the group of seriously disabled employed fills only 3.8 percent of jobs in companies with a workforce of 16 and over in Germany. The Severe Disablement Law stipulates a quota of six percent.