Accessibility goes beyond wheelchair accessibility
In the heart of Ingolstadt, a community initiative named "leben:IN.klusion" is working tirelessly to promote inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Established in November 2024, the club's mission is to implement the right to self-determination for people with disabilities, creating a more inclusive city.
One of the key areas of focus for the club is the creation of inclusive living communities. Students often take advantage of these communities, living rent-free and taking on certain tasks for their roommates in exchange. The club has been working on realizing such living communities for two years, with three corresponding projects currently in progress.
The club also recognizes the importance of work and housing as key areas for implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. By facilitating employment opportunities and advocating for barrier-free housing, the club aims to alleviate the acute staff shortage in institutions.
Raphaela, a board member and treasurer of the club, has a personal mission: to provide personal consultation sessions, showcasing career prospects for people with disabilities. She believes that an inclusive restaurant could contribute to the attractiveness of the city center.
However, the journey is not without challenges. Securing funding, changing public attitudes, overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, and ensuring sustainable cooperation with municipalities and private sectors are common obstacles faced by such initiatives.
The association is still young and currently working on its bylaws and website. Monthly meetings, held on the last Wednesday of each month, provide opportunities to get to know each other, find supporters and sponsors, and discuss progress and ideas for future projects. The location of these meetings is announced through the media or can be inquired by phone at 01563 0651382.
The club's vision extends beyond living communities. They dream of running their own inclusive establishment, providing job opportunities and conditions for social participation. A quiet room called a "Safestay" is needed for deaf people and those with pronounced sensory sensitivity in this proposed inclusive establishment.
Sponsors are welcome, as the association is now recognized as a non-profit organization, making donations tax-deductible. The club also advocates for its interests through various events, such as "Dinner in White" or "Festival of Cultures", and participates annually in the disability protest "Randgruppenkrawall" in Munich.
The term "barrier-free" was consciously avoided by the club, as barriers are not limited to wheelchair accessibility. The club aims to create a city where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can live, work, and socialize comfortably and inclusively.
For up-to-date and detailed progress reports and specific challenges faced by "leben:IN.klusion," we recommend checking Ingolstadt’s official city website, local social service reports, or contacting the club directly. The association welcomes anyone who wants to support people with disabilities and contribute to a more inclusive city.
- In order to support the vision of "leben:IN.klusion," they aim to establish an inclusive restaurant that not only enhances the attraction of the city center but also showcases various career prospects for people with disabilities in the realm of science, especially within the context of health-and-wellness.
- Recognizing the vital role of work and housing in adhering to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the club considers promoting science-oriented health-and-wellness businesses as a potential avenue to alleviate the staff shortage in institutions, fostering a more inclusive city.
