Practical information and guidance
- Participation of disabled persons
The website of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs shows how people with disabilities or at risk of becoming disabled can manage their affairs independently as far as possible. - Strengthening the willingness of employers to train and improving the training available to young people with disabilities
Equal entitlement means that the training enterprises can receive premiums and subsidies towards the cost of vocational training. - Impact of the Hartz IV Reform on disabled persons
There are some exceptions for persons with disabilities with regard to the amount to which they are entitled when it comes to what are known as "standard benefits" and "social assistance". - "job – Jobs ohne Barrieren" (barrier-free jobs) initiative
The "job" initiative is intended to enhance disabled and severely disabled persons' utilisation of the opportunity of participating in working life – even in times of economic woes. - Education for the disabled on the "Deutscher Bildungsserver" (German Education Server)
This information service is intended both for people who work with disabled children, young people and adults and for employees of education authorities, teachers, parents, researchers, students and, last but not least, disabled persons themselves. - Address database
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has compiled databases of institutes for early intervention, vocational rehabilitation centres and training centres for disabled people in Germany. - "REHADAT" – Information System on Vocational Rehabilitation
REHADAT collects and publishes information on the topics of disability, integration and work. The REHADAT system contains over 80,000 texts and 19,000 image. The project, managed by the "Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln" (Cologne Institute for Economic Research), aims to help find answers to questions such as:
- What financial support and subsidies can employers claim when they take on a disabled employee?
- Who can help me with questions concerning disability and work?
Germany has more than 25,000 doctors' and dentists' surgeries which are wheelchair-friendly and have facilities for the disabled. "Arzt-Auskunft" database of doctors shows users which surgeries are barrier-free.
The Commissioner is the federal government's main reference point on all matters which concern disabled persons. The Commissioner supplies information regarding legislation, gives practical advice and points out possible ways of integrating disabled persons into society and the world of work.
The "Disability Manager" course offers an internationally recognised qualification. Participants who pass the course examination are entitled to use the title of "Certified Disability Management Professional" (CDMP).
Aktion Jobs für Behinderte
"Kein Handicap!" (Not a handicap!) provides a (moderated) forum where people can place ads (free of charge) for short-term/long-term/freelance work for disabled and chronically ill persons.
Organisations and self-help associations for disabled persons
- "Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Integrationsämter und Hauptfürsorgestellen" (Federal Association of Offices for the Integration of and Provision of Assistance to Severely Disabled Workers, BIH)
The BIH represents the offices for the integration of and provision of assistance to severely disabled workers as prescribed by law. Its work primarily involves:
- consultation on policy issues,
- drafting of rules for the offices' work,
- coordination on the basis of recommendations and
- advancement of the rights of severely disabled persons in the world of work.
...is the national organisation of German self-help associations for disabled and chronically ill persons and their relatives. "BAG SELBSTHILFE" works to ensure that disabled and chronically ill persons are treated equally both in law and reality, in accordance with the principles of self-determination, self-representation, normalisation, integration and participation.
The Association has been representing the interests of persons of short stature in Germany since 1988. A good 100,000 German citizens suffer from restricted growth, i.e. they either are, or will be as adults, between 70 cm and 150 cm tall.
The DBR is an alliance of all of the major German organisations for disabled and chronically ill persons, representing over 2.5 million people in Germany. The Council represents the interests of disabled persons at the international level and is a member of the European Disability Forum.
The DBSV's purpose is to maintain the social position of blind and visually impaired people and to promote their social and vocational integration.
EUCREA aims to
With its 1.4 million members, the "Sozialverband VdK" is the largest social welfare association in Germany. It represents the interests of disabled and chronically ill persons, senior citizens and patients in dialogues with the political sphere and welfare courts.
Further reading
- "Ratgeber für behinderte Menschen" (Guide for disabled persons)
This guide provides a comprehensive range of information concerning all the benefits and assistance to which disabled persons are entitled. It also contains extracts from pertinent laws. - "Menschenrechte und Behinderung" (Human rights and disability)
This report documents the discussions at and results of the "Menschenrechte und Behinderung" conference held on 22 November 2004. - Publications by the "Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Integrationsämter und Hauptfürsorgestellen" (Federal Association of Offices for the Integration of and Provision of Assistance to Severely Disabled Workers, BIH)
