Accessibility transcends wheelchair accessibility
Ingolstadt's "leben:IN.klusion" Club Pushes for Inclusive Living Communities
Ingolstadt, Germany, is witnessing a significant push towards creating inclusive living communities, thanks to the efforts of the "leben:IN.klusion" club. This club, founded in November 2024, advocates for people with disabilities to live where they want and receive the support they need. The ultimate goal is to establish living communities similar to the over thirty that exist in Munich.
Current Progress
The club is making progress in raising awareness and gathering support within the Ingolstadt community. They are actively involved in planning projects that offer accessible housing solutions, often collaborating with local authorities, social organizations, and architects specializing in inclusive design. There may be pilot housing projects either underway or in development stages that demonstrate models for inclusive living spaces.
Challenges Ahead
However, the journey is not without its challenges. Securing sufficient financial resources for constructing or adapting housing that meets accessibility standards remains a significant hurdle. Navigating complex local regulations and obtaining necessary permits can also delay project implementation. Community acceptance is another factor that requires ongoing dialogue and education. Balancing individual needs with community cohesion is complex, as is establishing long-term support structures for residents, including social services and maintenance of the living facilities.
Moving Forward
Despite these challenges, "leben:IN.klusion" is determined to make meaningful strides in advocating for and developing inclusive living solutions. For the most detailed and up-to-date information, directly contacting the club or local Ingolstadt social services would provide the latest insights.
Supporting the Cause
The club welcomes anyone who wants to support people with disabilities. This can be done through various means, such as game or craft afternoons. Sponsors are also welcome, and since the association is now recognized as a non-profit organization, donations are tax-deductible.
A Brighter Future
Raphaela, a board member and treasurer of the club, aims to provide personal consultation sessions to help affected individuals and their families explore career prospects. The dream of the affected and engaged is to run an inclusive local, which could create job opportunities and facilitate societal participation.
Get Involved
Monthly meetings offer an opportunity to get to know each other and find supporters and sponsors. These meetings take place on the last Wednesday of each month, and the location will be announced via the media or can be inquired by phone at 01563 0651382. An inclusive local would contribute to the attractiveness of the city center, according to Caroline and Raphaela.
The term "barrier-free" was intentionally avoided by the club, as barriers are not limited to wheelchair accessibility. A quiet room, known as a "Safestay", is needed for deaf people and those with pronounced sensory sensitivity in the proposed inclusive local. Organizing an inclusive meeting for everyone requires careful consideration, as the room must be wheelchair accessible and an appropriate toilet must be available.
The "leben:IN.klusion" club is actively working on its statutes and homepage, and they are also advocating for their interests through various events such as the "Dinner in White", the "Festival of Cultures", and the disability protest "Randgruppenkrawall" in Munich. The club prioritizes work and housing as key areas for implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Germany ratified in 2009.
- To align with the club's goal of establishing inclusive living communities, they are collaborating with scientists and architects specializing in health-and-wellness and inclusive design to plan and develop accessible housing solutions.
- To further support individuals with disabilities, Raphaela, a board member of the "leben:IN.klusion" club, plans to offer personal consultation sessions to help explore career prospects in the science, health-and-wellness, and other fields, aiming to facilitate societal participation and create job opportunities.
