Putting Participation to the Test

“Inclusive society – inclusive university: Where are we now?“: That is the motto of the University of Freiburg’s 2020 Inclusion Day, organized by the association of disabled members of the university.

Photo: Sascha Bergmann/stock.adobe.com

When the Inclusion Agreement was signed in October 2018, the University of Freiburg saw a paradigm shift: “Now it’s not the employees who have to adjust - instead, the working environment has to adapt to include the conditions for all people - whether disabled or not - to participate in working life in a self-determined way,” says Manfred Zahn, representative of the disabled at the university. The Agreement provides for close cooperation in everyday university life, an inclusion team, regulations and procedures for personnel decisions and employment, and regular evaluations. “If you say yes to inclusion today, you also have to stand by the obligations,” Zahn stresses. This includes, for example, more disabled-access buildings and rooms, as well as training and further education.

Now, in 2020, what progress has been made? “Inclusive society – inclusive university: Where are we now?“ is the motto of the University of Freiburg’s 2020 Inclusion Day, organized by the association of disabled members of the university.  Berlin activist Raul Krauthausen will hold a lecture, which will be followed by a discussion. The panel will include Dr. Matthias Schenek, Head of the University Administration, Zeno Springklee from the student union’s Studieren ohne Hürden (Studying without barriers) office, as well as the Freiburg city councilor and inclusion consultant Ramon Kathrein. In addition, the university medical service, the Psychosocial Counselling Service, the integration office and student services Freiburg-Schwarzwald will be present with information stands.

Inclusion Day is 27 February 2020, starting 10.15 am in the event hall of the University Library. The lecture and panel discussion will be simultaneously translated into sign language. There is no need to register.

Inclusion Day 2020