Accessibility Services (ZAB)

The Representative Body for Severely Disabled Employees is an elected body made up of volunteers elected every 4 years by disabled employees at Bielefeld University. These elected representatives have the task of looking after the interests of people with severe disabilities and standing up for their rights.

The representative body must be consulted in on all matters at the University that may relate to an individual with a severe disability or severely disabled employees as a group before any decision is taken. The representative body must also be informed immediately once a decision is made.

These matters may include, for example:

• Monitoring of application and appointment procedures for all status groups
• counselling on problems, applications and appeals
• Applying for disability-related workplace equipment
• Cooperation with internal and external counselling centres, etc.

The Social Code IX (SGB IX) serves as the basis for the activities of the Representative Body for Severely Disabled Persons.

Section 178 of SGB IX sets out the tasks of the representative body for severely disabled persons. Among other things, it ensures that the laws and agreements applicable to severely disabled people are implemented and that the employer's obligations are fulfilled.

You can find more information, rights and duties in the online SGB.