Germany: Striding Towards Social Inclusion

Every country that is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is obliged to implement and promote activities in alignment with the mentioned convention.

According to this guideline, people with disabilities are entitled to the same rights as other citizens, ensuring equal access to a dignified life, education, employment, freedom of expression, engagement in sports, leisure activities, and various other dimensions of life.

However, the actuality presents challenges in the realization of these rights. In addition to advocating for the acknowledgment of their rights, individuals with disabilities often confront stereotypes propagated by their fellow citizens. Each nation possesses its own distinct characteristics, including perceptions of individuals with disabilities.

Stereotypes Regarding Individuals with Disabilities in Germany

The German platform “Inklusion in Bayern” has pointed out a number of commonly held stereotypes, including:

1. People with disabilities lack adequate qualifications.
2. People with disabilities have higher rates of work absenteeism.
3. People with disabilities are entitled to additional annual leave.
4. People with disabilities are not adequately productive.
5. People with disabilities are favored in team settings.
6. People with disabilities cannot be fired.
7. Our company’s size is insufficient to hire a person with a disability.
8. We are unable to autonomously tackle this societal issue.

Legal Framework  protections for Persons with Disabilities and Promoting Inclusion

Were you aware that Germany also grapples with the challenge of enhancing conditions for individuals with disabilities?

Specifically, the Advisory Committee for Inclusion consistently urges the government ministry, associations, and accountable representatives to undertake the execution of an action plan that was mutually agreed upon through a coalition agreement. The primary goal of this plan is to improve accessibility to healthcare services for individuals with disabilities. Moreover, various laws have been enacted to oversee the rights of persons with disabilities, including:

1. The Disability Equality Act, enacted in 2002.
2. The General Equal Treatment Act, enacted in 2006, with the objective of safeguarding against discrimination by private entities such as employers or landlords.

What are your opinions regarding the second law, introduced by Germany in 2006? Is there a comparable law in our country?

Psychosocial Support Services in Germany

Moreover, this nation dedicates significant endeavors to offering aid to individuals with unseen types of disabilities. There exist 120 self-help organizations spread across the country, all overseen by a central coordinating body.

However, what precisely is the scope of activities these organizations engage in?

They facilitate the formation of “self-help” groups, encouraging individuals to come together. The primary objective of these gatherings is for participants to extend mutual assistance in tackling the obstacles they confront on a day-to-day basis. Most commonly, attendees are individuals grappling with health, mental, and social challenges. Within these meetings, there’s an exchange of experiences through open dialogues encompassing a range of subjects, such as medical conditions like diabetes, rheumatism, and depression, as well as complex life situations like relationship and familial issues or illnesses within the family. It’s crucial to underline that these conversations aren’t guided by professionals like doctors.

This approach empowers participants who might feel isolated due to their challenges to discover solutions to their impediments, while simultaneously garnering emotional backing and motivation for personal and professional development.

Croatia vs. Germany: Similarities and Contrasts

Croatia and Germany share several important similarities and distinctions in their approaches toward supporting individuals with disabilities:

Similarities:

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Both nations are signatories to this convention, establishing a framework for safeguarding and promoting the rights of people with disabilities, encompassing equality, accessibility, and participation in all facets of society.

Legislation against Discrimination: Croatia and Germany have laws in place to combat discrimination against people with disabilities. In Croatia, the battle against discrimination of individuals with disabilities is regulated by the Anti-Discrimination Act (Article 4).

Informational Platforms: Croatian In-Portal.hr and German EnableMe offer pertinent news, resources, and assistance to individuals with disabilities, facilitating their access to information about their rights and available services.

Differences:

Psychosocial Support: Germany places more emphasis on delivering psychosocial support to individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities through self-help organizations, whereas Croatia relies on psychosocial support centers and expert guidance provided by ministries and regional centers.

Legal Framework: Croatia has the Anti-Discrimination Act, while Germany has enacted multiple laws addressing the rights of people with disabilities, including the Disability Equality Act and the General Equal Treatment Act.

Fostering a Comprehensive Approach

The Republic of Croatia has achieved noteworthy strides in extending financial aid to individuals with disabilities.

The requirement for psychosocial support for this group of citizens, as well as other citizens, is exceedingly important. To ensure thorough inclusion and assistance for individuals with disabilities, recognizing the value of psychosocial support is crucial. Beyond mere financial stability, individuals with disabilities should be empowered to actively participate in society, contribute their skills, and enrich their communities.

This all-encompassing approach will pave the way for an all-inclusive society where everyone can realize their utmost potential.

Exemplary Practice

The Feniks Split Association stands as an exemplary model to be emulated, as it offers assistance in elevating mental well-being and undertakes specialized design and execution of initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing mental challenges in the Splitsko-Dalmatinska County.