REHADAT: The vocational integration portal

Ms. Kurtenacker, Ms. Decker, what makes REHADAT different from other information portals for people with disabilities?

Andrea Kurtenacker: We are a nationwide information service, which means all of the information on the portal – addresses, literary references or information about auxiliary aid manufacturers or rehabilitation providers c refers to resources throughout Germany. We are also comprehensive as it pertains to rehabilitation providers. That means we list all services and support options from all rehabilitation agencies and are not limited to referring only one agency, as is the case with the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) for example.

Mareike Decker: We provide neutral and unbiased information, especially in terms of assistive products. We are objective when it comes to vendors, providers, and manufacturers, enabling users to get a market overview of assistive products and services – without advertising – and giving them the means to objectively compare products and services.

How does the REHADAT portal promote quick and targeted dialogue?

Kurtenacker: We serve a variety of different users, which also include employers since they are the ones that hire people with disabilities. After all, we are a knowledge platform for vocational integration. For example, we try to structure the information on our REHADAT TalentPlus portal in a way that anticipates and answers fundamental questions. What’s more, we continuously fine-tune our search options to make sure users can quickly find the documents they are looking for and get more targeted results.

What other services does REHADAT offer people with disabilities and interested parties, where they have the opportunity to find out about integrated employment, vocational integration and inclusion?

Kurtenacker: One service is our REHADAT Bildung (Education) portal, which offers comprehensive school-to-work transition information. Young people at the start of their careers can get informed about options that are tailored to them. We also have apps for available funding and financial assistance options. Another feature is our potential savings calculator for employers. There are many different ways to find employment and/or career entry information on the site.

Decker: We also publish brochures on employment and vocational integration management pertaining to illnesses or disabilities, which are also available as a free download. These brochures detail how to setup disability participation, how to use assistive resources etc. We are also on Twitter with information and news about occupational rehabilitation – referring both to REHADAT or general professional career information.

Kurtenacker: We also offer seminars. These are basic vocational integration seminars or seminars on assistive devices.

Which topics do you focus on in your exhibitor lectures at this year’s REHACARE?

Decker: One subject will be new developments and opportunities for people with disabilities thanks to innovative digital resources and digitization in general. Another topic is financial assistance, which is always at the forefront of concerns.

Kurtenacker: Needless to say, we always have changes pertaining to the various phases of REHADAT as the portal is constantly evolving. We just had a relaunch of our home page and new information is continuously added throughout the year. Our lectures will always deliver the latest information about vocational integration.

What types of feedback do you receive from visitors at the trade fair, both after the lectures and at the booth?

Kurtenacker: It really runs the gamut. We often get people who seek general information on how to proceed in their job after they just got injured in an accident for example. Then you have parents who try to find out how their children can make the school-to-work transition. And then there are visitors who work in the field and want to learn more about the latest developments.

Decker: This includes representatives for the severely disabled, who are new to their job and want to learn and delve more deeply into the subject matter.

Kurtenacker: We get positive feedback. Many people are excited to finally have a central platform as a resource that enables them to easily find all the information they are looking for. There is an enormous need for information on vocational integration.