management of inclusion and participation, b.a.

The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences began planning the new degree programme ‘Management of Inclusion and Participation’ five years before its launch in 2022. This is because, when the Federal Participation Act (BTHG) was introduced in stages from 2017 onwards, most organisations providing support for people with disabilities were faced with the challenge of implementing this legislation. As therapeutic care workers work directly with people with disabilities, the idea arose at a teachers’ conference – prompted by heads of vocational colleges for therapeutic care – to launch a degree programme focusing on inclusion and participation, thereby closing a gap in the care system.

This course is primarily aimed at remedial care workers who have been admitted to higher education and are undertaking their training at a specialist college for remedial care, or at fully qualified remedial care workers and early years educators. In addition, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists with at least three years’ professional experience may enrol on this degree programme.

The degree programme is unique because it is the first to address the challenges posed by the Federal Participation Act. Student Stefanie Sporer explains her decision to enrol on the programme: “I believe that the Federal Participation Act needs to be given greater visibility in society.” For all the students surveyed on the Bachelor’s degree programme in ‘Management of Inclusion and Participation’, the overarching aim is to put the latest findings into practice in their organisations after graduation, in order to give their profession a new, scientifically grounded impetus in a forward-looking direction. Upon successful completion of the programme, students have the opportunity to progress to the next level within their fields, move into specialist services, or work in other local authority and social care organisations, such as advice centres. Furthermore, all doors are open for those wishing to pursue a further academic career by going on to a Master’s degree programme. They all share a vision of a society in which everyone can truly participate on an equal footing. Some of them had already decided years ago to pursue a career as a remedial therapist, as working with people with disabilities is close to their hearts.