Dusel Steers Inclusive Policies for People with Disabilities
Commissioner for Individuals with Disabilities Still Holds Position within the Government - Continues as Government Commissioner for Disabled Individuals
Hey there! Let's dive into the latest developments regarding the key figure in German disability rights—Commissioner Jürgen Dusel. Before joining the federal government, this fella was commissioner for the needs of people with disabilities in Brandenburg for a good number of years. He recently thanked Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Bärbel Bas (SPD), for the trust shown in him and called for collaboration. Inclusion, it seems, is a shared concern across all federal government departments, with everyone having a part to play, according to Dusel.
Hope springs eternal with the new inclusive political agreements in the coalition agreement. Now, the challenge lies in translating these promises into real, tangible actions, as noted by our guy. Bas praised Commissioner Dusel as a "strong voice for participation" and also as an "uncomfortable reminder when barriers in the mind and in life exclude people with disabilities."
Approximately 7.9 million people in Germany suffer from severe disabilities, making up about 9.3% of the population. Dusel's key responsibilities include ensuring the federal government lives up to its commitments towards people with disabilities. He's involved in legislative plans, other projects, and even has the ability to access files. Furthermore, Commissioner Dusel actively works on PR for the affected people.
Now, let's zoom out a bit and take a look at some initiatives the German government is pushing for in terms of disability inclusion both domestically and internationally.
Key Initiatives and Specific Actions
- Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub (RICH): Germany has launched this multistakeholder commitment at the Global Disability Summit 2025. The hub aims to make cities more accessible and resilient for people with disabilities. By addressing issues like accessible infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and support during emergencies, the hub aims to diminish the significant vulnerability of people with disabilities in cities, who are twice as likely to perish during disasters or violent conflicts[1]. The initiative is backed by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and open to contributions from other governments and organizations[1].
- Adoption of the Amman-Berlin Declaration: Germany committed to ensuring that at least 15% of global development projects foster inclusion. This was part of a summit attended by participants from 100 countries, including persons with disabilities, and resulted in over 800 pledges to heighten accessibility and inclusion. The declaration outlines measurable goals for integrating disability rights into international development[2][5]. While not confined to domestic efforts, this policy demonstrates Germany's resolve to establish a global standard for accessibility and inclusion.
- Funding and International Cooperation: Germany pledged EUR 2 million (US$2 million) to the WHO and continues to support global health systems and pandemic preparedness[2]. The federal government has also approved an increase in defense and infrastructure spending, some of which will benefit the modernization and accessibility of public infrastructure, though specific allocations for disability inclusion within these funds aren't explicitly outlined in the latest updates[2].
Wider Context and Alignment with Coalition Agreement Priorities
- Coalition Agreement Emphases: The coalition agreement underscores the advancement of inclusive education, accessible public spaces, and participation in employment and political life for people with disabilities. These priorities are manifested in recent initiatives like RICH and the Amman-Berlin Declaration.
- Global Leadership: Germany is leveraging its role as a co-host of the Global Disability Summit 2025 and other international forums to champion evidence-based, inclusive policies and to share best practices globally[1][5].
- Ongoing Advocacy: Commissioner Jürgen Dusel’s office continues to collaborate closely with federal ministries and civil society to ensure that disability inclusion is integrated into all policy areas, in line with the coalition agreement's commitments.
In conclusion,
the actions of the German Federal Government, in conjunction with Commissioner Dusel, represent a concerted effort to address disability inclusion—both domestically and internationally—with Commissioner Dusel stepping up as an influential advocate and policy coordinator.
- Jürgen Dusel
- Federal Government
- Disability
- Bärbel Bas
- Brandenburg
- SPD
- The Resilient and Inclusive Cities Hub (RICH), spearheaded by Germany, aligns with the focus on health-and-wellness, particularly mental health, as it aims to address the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities in urban settings, promoting a more inclusive and accessible cityscape.
- The adoption of the Amman-Berlin Declaration by Germany highlights the integration of science, specifically in the study of disability rights, into international development projects to foster greater accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, supporting the broader aim of community law and human rights.
