Comment of the Expert Group RehaFutur on the Future of Employment-Related Rehabilitation in Germany
Abstract
The German Academy for Rehabilitation and the expert group RehaFutur have been charged by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with the elaboration of proposals for the medium and long-term development of the employment-oriented rehabilitation of handicapped adults. The aim of this is to describe the future role of those who provide for, those who carry out, and those who are eligible for social assistance. We outline a model concept for the development of the employment-oriented rehabilitation of handicapped adults: 'An adequate future rehabilitation system emphasizes self-determination and self-responsibility of handicapped persons and enforces an autonomous life, ensures social participation through inclusive structures, and enables participation in the work life through sustainable education with a holistic development of qualifications and personal skills, in line with individual resources and potentials, and secured through systematic networking with companies.' In this context, we envision eight fields of operation for the rehabilitation of the future: 1. The promotion of self-determination and self-responsibility of the assisted; 2. raising public awareness of the assistance for the handicapped, promoting acceptance, and facilitating access; 3. the establishment and widespread introduction of independent employment, education, and life counselling; 4. orientation towards the vocational education and training system; 5. the realisation of a systematic linkage to the employment world; 6. a more individual and flexible rehabilitation; 7. a regulation of entire processes; 8. quality assurance and strengthening of development capability. (IAB)
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Ellger-Rüttgardt, S., Karbe, H., Niehaus, M., Rauch, A., Riedel, H., Schian, H., Schmidt, C., Schott, T., Schröder, H., Spijkers, W. & Wittwer, U. (2009): Stellungnahme der wissenschaftlichen Fachgruppe RehaFutur zur Zukunft der beruflichen Rehabilitation in Deutschland. (Forschungsbericht Sozialforschung / Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales 393), Bonn, 231 p.