Accessibility encompasses more than just accommodating wheelchairs
In the heart of Ingolstadt, a new club named "leben:IN.klusion" is making waves, working tirelessly to promote inclusivity and self-determination for people with disabilities. Founded by Lydia Halbhuber-Gassner in November 2024, the club's mission is clear: to create a city where everyone, regardless of ability, can live, work, and thrive.
The club's primary goals include implementing the right to self-determination for people with disabilities and advocating for their right to choose where they live and work. They believe that an inclusive gastronomy would add to the attractiveness of the city centre, and they are working towards creating inclusive housing communities, similar to the over 30 that exist in Munich.
Currently, there are three objects for potential inclusive housing communities in Ingolstadt, but none have been completed yet. However, the club is undeterred and is actively working on their statutes and homepage to attract more supporters and sponsors.
Raphaela, a member of the club's board and treasurer, aims to provide personal career consultations for people with disabilities. She also envisions an inclusive locale that would ideally include a "Safestay" - a quiet room for deaf people or those with pronounced sensory sensitivity.
The club organizes inclusive meetings, ensuring that the room and appropriate toilet are wheelchair-accessible. These meetings offer a low-threshold opportunity to get to know the club and potentially become a supporter or sponsor. The monthly fun meeting takes place on the last Wednesday of each month, with the location announced via media or by phone at 01563 0651382.
Sponsors are welcome, as the association is now recognized as a non-profit organization, making donations tax-deductible. The club also participates in the disability protest "Marginalized Riot" in Munich, advocating for a self-determined life and against exclusion and paternalism.
While specific updates on the club's challenges and progress are limited, it is clear that they face the typical urban inclusion challenges such as integrating diverse populations, accessibility, fostering cultural acceptance, and providing equal participation opportunities. Progress appears linked to private-public partnerships, corporate diversity programs, and university collaborations focused on inclusion.
For the latest authoritative insights on the "leben:IN.klusion" club’s work in Ingolstadt, consulting local government websites, the club’s own publications or social media, or Ingolstadt community news may provide valuable information. In the meantime, the club continues to make strides, organizing events like "Dinner in White" or "Festival of Cultures" to increase publicity and present their cause.
The club, "leben:IN.klusion," is not only focused on promoting inclusivity and self-determination for people with disabilities but also aims to enhance the city's attractiveness by advocating for an inclusive gastronomy. Raphaela, a member of the club's board and treasurer, intends to incorporate a "Safestay"—a quiet room for people with hearing impairments or pronounced sensory sensitivity—in their vision for an inclusive locale.
