MCI project for the inclusion of people with disabilities

Presentation of a future cooperation in the "Bavaria-Tyrol" border region at the ConSozial in Nuremberg

"Consozial in Nuremberg is the leading trade fair and congress for the field of social welfare", was the opening words to Consozial 2021 of Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria. In the context of the congress, the project funded within the framework of Interreg Austria-Bavaria, "Social space-oriented and inclusive participation of people with disabilities in the border region", was very well received by the professional public.

The research project focused on improving the care of people with disabilities in the border region and intensifying cross-border and needs-based services. From April to November 2020, 34 interviews were conducted with people with disabilities, relatives, employers and representatives from politics, administration, providers and institutions in Tyrol and Bavaria, supplemented by a qualitative online survey in which a further 51 participants from the above-mentioned group of people took part.

The hybrid expert congress provided the scientific setting for the two project partners,

• Diakonisches Werk Rosenheim, represented by Klaus Voss, and
• Center for Social & Health Innovation at MCI | THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SCHOOL® in Innsbruck, represented by Lukas Kerschbaumer

to discuss the project results in detail with the expert audience and to develop them further. The presentation was moderated by the German Association for Public and Private Welfare in Berlin.

The positive response and the distinguished discussion make the vision of the cross-border research project an increasingly realizable vision. The recommendations for action include the establishment of barrier-free and accessible participation counseling, the expansion of barrier-free local public transport, and the accessibility of rural regions. Furthermore, a reduction of prejudices should be achieved through the education and networking of employers via peer counseling and best practice examples. A detailed description of the findings and the fields of action derived from them can be found on the project website www.interreg-bayern-tirol.info.