Zentrale Anlaufstelle Barrierefrei
NRW and German-wide resources
NRW
Landschaftsverband Westfalen – Lippe (Regional Association of Westphalia – Lippe)
The LWL is the main social care agency and the body responsible for regional social services. It is also responsible for the question of (personal) assistance.
-> www.lwl.org
KOMBABB – Competence Centre for Disability – Higher Education – Work
The competence centre offers counselling for prospective students with disabilities or chronic illnesses, among other things.
-> www.kombabb.de
German-wide
Deutsche Bahn Accessibility and mobility service (public railway service)
DB accessibility and mobility service allows you to book assistance with boarding or transfer as well as support with the whole journey including reserving seats. Holders of a severely disabled pass and, if applicable, the German disability code ‘B’, can also use this service to choose one or two reservations for free.
Deutsches Studentenwerk e.V. (DSW) – German student union
At the DSW, the umbrella organisation of the local student unions, an information and advice centre on studying and disabilities has been set up, as well as other services. The DSW organises seminars for disabled students on a wide range of topics. In addition, the DSW publishes the free handbook "Studying and Disability" annually, which can be downloaded here.
Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft hörbehinderter Studentinnen und Absolventinnen e.V. (Federal Association of Deaf Students) (BHSA)
The most important function of the BHSA is to provide advice. Among other things, it counsels students and school-leavers, organises transregional conferences where participants can share their experiences and is represented on influential committees.
-> www.bhsa.de
Deutscher Verein der Blinden und Sehbehinderten in Studium und Beruf e.V. (DVSB) - German Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired in Study and Work
The DVBS offers the following services for members, among others: Counselling, also in legal matters, specialist information (so-called specialist group information services), speech recording services (ADW), production of enlarged representations of text templates, audio magazine, overview of case law, sale of special alerting devices. Furthermore, the DVBS has connections to organisations and institutions at home and abroad.
-> www.dvbs-online.de
Federal Working Group “Hilfe für Behinderte" (BAGH) - Help for the Disabled
The BAGH, which publishes the magazine "Selbsthilfe" (Self-help), is the umbrella organisation for many self-help groups. A list of member associations (with addresses) can be found on its website.
-> www.bag-selbsthilfe.de
Allgemeiner Behindertenverband in Deutschland (ABiD) – General Association of Disabled People in Germany
The ABiD pursues the goal of raising awareness of the needs of people with disabilities in public life and developing self-help groups and counselling services.
-> www.abid-ev.de
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS)
The Federal Ministry publishes a large number of information booklets.
-> www.bmas.de