German Association of Vocational Training Center for People with Disabilities:

Self determination and participation in society

According to the social security statutes (Sozialgesetzbuch) IX, §1 "Self determination and participation in society" Persons who have a disability or who are threatened with an impending disability will receive benefits in order to promote their right of self determination and participation in life in society on an equal basis and to avoid or prevent any potential disadvantages arising.

The "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Berufsförderungswerke", founded in 1968, is an association of 28 Vocational Training Center throughout Germany.
With a total of 15 000 places, the Berufsförderungswerke act as advice and orientation centres, offering a range of specialist services such as information, diagnostics, training and help in finding a job.

Our main aim is to help disabled people and those threatened by disability to participate in working life and thus in society as a whole.
The access to vocational or occupational rehabilitation through a Berufsförderungswerk is intended for those, who require special assistance (psychological, social, medical and pedagogical-didactical) for a successful re-integration into the work environment.
We provide vocational services, pave the way for innovations and act as flexible partners for business.

To apply for rehabilitation resp. to obtain further information

The application for benefits to participate in the working environment ("Antrag auf Leistungen zur Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben") can, according to the social security statutes (Sozialgesetzbuch IX), be submitted to any of the following institutions or organizations:

• Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit)
• German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung)
• Community Accident Insurance (GUV - Gemeindeunfallversicherung)
• Integration Centres (Integrationsämter)
• Community Job Centres (Kommunale Arbeitsgemeinschaften „Job-Center")

The rehabilitation organization to whom the application has been submitted, must verify whether they are responsible for processing the application within two weeks and, if necessary, forward the application to the relevant organization.

Following this, the application must be decided on within three weeks.

Documentation required to apply for vocational rehabilitation

In addition to the application for benefits to participate in the work environment ("Antrag auf Leistungen zur Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben") the following documents are required:

• a medical opinion (through a rehabilitation organization)
• a personal resume
• evidence of your career activity to date
• proof of income
• evidence of health insurance
• proof of pension insurance contributions

(Source: Federal Ministry for Health and Social Security 2005 - Bundesministerium für Gesundheit und Soziale Sicherung 2005 )

In a Europe which is becoming ever more integrated, issues such as vocational reintegration are becoming increasingly important at European level, too. The Berufsförderungswerke therefore maintain contacts with reintegration institutions in other countries in order to promote the exchange of information and collaboration within the EU, and beyond.