Inclusion in the workplace: This is how Wolfratshausen and Bad Tölz fight!

Inclusion in the workplace: This is how Wolfratshausen and Bad Tölz fight!

In the picturesque town of Wolfratshausen, a remarkable showcase project is being launched that promotes the integration of people with disabilities into working life. The Yoanda coffee roastery in Wolfratshausen and the Café Miteinand in Bad Tölz set an example for inclusion and make it clear that there is another way. This initiative stands out from the norm, as few companies actually offer real opportunities for people with disabilities.

Despite the inclusion law, we still face major challenges in Germany. The fact that, according to a study by the IAB, people with disabilities encounter many barriers in the labor market cannot be explained away. Although the Bundestag has approved a bill that aims to promote an inclusive labor market, the reality often falls short of expectations. People like 32-year-old Franziska Bock, who has the rare Möbius syndrome that paralyzes her facial muscles, are the suffering victims of this inequality.

Barriers and obstacles in the labor market

When Franziska applied, she found out that they only wanted to work her in the background, “behind the copier” – an example of the stubborn prejudices and reservations about hiring that many people with disabilities face. Such challenges are not isolated; many face similar problems such as stigmatization, psychological stress and mobility restrictions. These factors contribute to the lower employment rate and higher unemployment rate of 11.5% for severely disabled people. In contrast, the overall unemployment rate is 7%.

However, high labor force participation is not just a question of social justice. It also has tangible economic advantages. Companies often have difficulty finding qualified staff, especially in times of skilled labor shortages. Greater integration of people with disabilities into the labor market can offer a solution here. Statistics show that in 2017 there were around 3.1 million people of working age with severe disabilities living in Germany, with the employment rate being 49%. Between 30 and 50% of these people work in inclusionary companies.

The path to integration

In order to promote social participation, various measures must be taken. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, welfare state aid, qualification offers and company regulations are needed. The goal is clear: the integration of people with disabilities into the regular labor market must be further intensified. The value of work is not just material; Intangible factors such as self-confidence, social contacts and a fixed time structure are also of great importance for those affected.

Inclusion companies and cooperation between companies and social institutions are crucial steps in the right direction. However, these initiatives need to be promoted more so that they can emerge from their niche and find their place in society. The appeal to employers is clear: diversity in the company opens up opportunities and enables a collaboration that can be enriching for everyone involved.

Overall, it can be said that despite the challenges mentioned above, progress in the integration of people with disabilities is progressing slowly but steadily. It is all the more important that we all pull together so that everyone has the chance to develop their potential and actively participate in working life. The future could look brighter for Franziska Bock and many others.

For further insights into the topic of inclusion in the workplace, see the reports from Süddeutsche, BPB and IAB are recommended.