Shopping as a Blind Person: “Customers Should also Dare to Go Shopping by Themselves“

Turn left at the next traffic light. The familiar voice on the navigation system guides drivers who don’t have a sense of direction through unknown streets. By comparison, blind people have a much harder time, if they don’t find their way in their surroundings. Now a shopping centre in Berlin offers blind and visually impaired customers at least help during shopping – with a Blind-Guiding System. Shopping as a Blind Person: “Customers Should also Dare to Go Shopping by Themselves“ - read more

People with a Learning Disability: "A Lack of Expert Knowledge Prevents Right Treatment“

In Germany, people normally relate the occurrence of a 2-class system in healthcare to the different treatment of patients with a statutory health insurance and a private health insurance. But there is more to it. Another 2-class system exists concerned with medical treatment of people with a learning disability compared to those without. People with a Learning Disability: "A Lack of Expert Knowledge Prevents Right Treatment“ - read more

Children of Mentally Disabled Parents: “They Perceive Their Childhood as Normal“

People with mental disabilities are often labeled as “eternal children.” When they become parents, their environment challenges whether they are up to the task. Dietke Sanders, a graduate psychologist, investigated the situation of children with mentally disabled parents in her research project. REHACARE.de talked to her about reversed roles and proud children. Children of Mentally Disabled Parents: “They Perceive Their Childhood as Normal“ - read more

Happiness at School: "It’s Just like Being at a Great Party"

First lesson: Math. Second lesson: Science. Third lesson: Happiness. The lesson plan at an advanced secondary school in Heidelberg looks similar to that. During class, students learn to deal respectfully with one another and to take on responsibility. REHACARE.de spoke with Ernst Fritz-Schubert, the creator of the school subject, about physical activity versus chocolate and pleasure versus pain. Happiness at School: "It’s Just like Being at a Great Party" - read more

Disability policy: “That’s not a gentle topic, but a really harsh one“

With a new man comes a new chance! Whether this set phrase can be applied to the German disability policy, remains to be seen over the next few years. The new man is already here: Hubert Hüppe. REHACARE.de spoke to the new Federal Government Commissioner for the Disabled about anxiousness, high expectations and political goals. Disability policy: “That’s not a gentle topic, but a really harsh one“ - read more

An Integrative Rock Band: „Music as a Key to Worlds That Aren’t So Different At All“

Music connects – young and old, tall and small, disabled or not disabled. How well the latter functions is demonstrated by the integrative rock band “Lampenfieber“ (“Stage-Fright”) from Lüdenscheid. Ralf Franke is a co-founder of the band. REHACARE.de talked to him about his own stage-fright, provocative lyrics and music as a means of integration. An Integrative Rock Band: „Music as a Key to Worlds That Aren’t So Different At All“ - read more

Waiting Tables Blind: “When the Fear Is Gone, the Fun Can Begin”

See nothing. Only taste, smell, feel, hear. That’s all that matters in a dark restaurant. Serving food here seems impossible − for the sighted. Cevahir Männel has been severely vision impaired since birth and works as a waitress at a “dark” restaurant in Cologne, Germany. REHACARE.de spoke with her about real “blind dates”, frightening darkness, and sensory-enhanced guest contact. Waiting Tables Blind: “When the Fear Is Gone, the Fun Can Begin” - read more

Prostheses: „Further Optimising the Natural Motion Sequence“

Today serious sport and disability do not exclude themselves anymore. Athletes with prostheses can achieve quite similar results in competitions as their colleagues without artificial bodily parts – thanks to modern technology. However, in future prostheses could do even more.  Prostheses: „Further Optimising the Natural Motion Sequence“ - read more

Disability Studies: „Germany is not Yet Ready for That“

You aren´t normal at all! A sentence maybe everybody has already heard or said once. But what does it mean actually? REHCARE.de spoke to Anne Waldschmidt, professor for Disability Studies at the University of Cologne, about astonished students, teaching topics and stereotyped thinking. Disability Studies: „Germany is not Yet Ready for That“ - read more

Personal Assistance: „Most People Do not Benefit from the New Law“

REHACARE.de spoke to the chairman of the association ForseA, Gerhard Bartz, why it can be life-threatening to stay in a hospital if you need personal assistance and also about the bureaucratic jungle. Personal Assistance: „Most People Do not Benefit from the New Law“ - read more