In his capacity as German Ambassador for Inclusion, Torsten Schumann voices his main criticism and concerns in a nutshell: "The Federal Participation Law is created by people who are not affected by it. They talk about people with disabilities instead of talking to them. This is against the intent of the UN-CRPD and flat out contemptuous of human rights."
"Actually, the Law is intended to promote improvements," says Ralf Orthmann. "However, it will only make the situation worse." The fact that the demonstration in Rostock takes place on such a small scale, is something Orthmann regrets but he concedes, "Even though there are only a few people here on location, these campaigns take place nationwide, especially in major cities – and there’s power in numbers! Besides, we don’t have any other options besides these protest campaigns!" He adds, that this subject concerns all of us. "You might still be healthy today but things might be very different tomorrow. Small-scale protests are always difficult to implement but they are necessary, like the major demonstration in Berlin, where activists chained themselves together for example. Though this is an act of civil disobedience, you essentially need to choose ways that cause a stir," says Orthmann.
Torsten Schumann agrees with Orthmann on this particular point. "Every protest is crucially important! If nobody says anything, nothing will ever change. We have been silent long enough. Inclusion means, involving everyone and not excluding anyone. I don’t want to be excluded anymore; I want to participate in society."
By the way, a #ungehindert demonstration also took place on the same day in Hamburg. People with disabilities came together to call attention to the planned BTHG in the Hanseatic City. As long as the nearly 100 amendment ideas have not been reviewed and included, the many activists across Germany will continue to stand up for their right to live a self-determined life with various protests.