Komik and disability: New insights into inclusion through humor in science

Komik and disability: New insights into inclusion through humor in science

The importance of humor and comedy in dealing with disabilities was recently illuminated at an interdisciplinary network conference at the University of Passau. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartwig met over 20 scientists from different countries to discuss the combination of comedy and disability in different cultural contexts.

Prof. Dr. In his lecture, Dieter Kulke from the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) emphasized the importance of focusing on the perspective of impaired people. He explained that humor can contribute to reducing prejudices and creating a better understanding of the reality of life of people with disabilities. He also emphasized the importance of the motto of the disabled movement: "Nothing about us - without us".

The discussions at the conference showed that laughter about disability is regarded as an expression of normalization and inclusion, provided that it remains respectful. The practical implementation of the findings is already being promoted by the open disability work of the Diakonische Werk Würzburg, which organizes various events in cooperation with the FAS of the THWS.

A highlight of the conference was the public event "What is there to laugh? Comic and disability in the spotlight", moderated by Prof. Dr. Hartwig and Prof. Dr. Kulke. Prominent cultural workers such as Martin Fromme, Niko von Glasow, Gerd Hartmann and Samuel Koch lively discussed the importance of comedy and humor in their work. They emphasized that comedy as a door opener can serve to promote more open use of disabilities.

Further information on this topic is available from the THWS Science Journal. Prof. Dr. Dieter Kulke and the team of the Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt.

- Nag