Employment of severely disabled persons: State advises in Kassel

"Hesse has a long and successful tradition of promoting the employment of people with severe disabilities and their equals in the public service," says Martin Rößler, State Secretary at the Hessian Ministry of the Interior, for Security and Homeland Security. "In 2023, the employment rate was 6.18 percent, which is still well above the legally required 5 percent," emphasizes the State Secretary. In order to maintain and increase this figure, it is important that everyone plays their part in recruitment and continued employment, according to Rößler.

"In view of demographic change and the shortage of jobs and skilled workers that can be felt everywhere, people with disabilities are more than ever an important resource on the general labor market," adds Andreas Winkel, the Hessian state government's representative for people with disabilities. In his regular exchanges with HR managers in all departments, he experiences a great deal of openness to the concerns of severely disabled colleagues, says the representative.

A current research project is investigating which factors promote the recruitment and employment of people with disabilities in the Hessian state administration, reports Prof. Dr. Felix Welti. He is Head of the Department of Social and Health Law, Rehabilitation Law and Disability Law at the University of Kassel. "We are investigating which structures and practices still make this difficult. The aim is to network science and practice more closely, gain insights and translate them into strategies for action," says Welti.

The kick-off event in the Science Park at the University of Kassel on Monday served to promote exchange and networking with the scientific community. In addition to those responsible from the state administration, representatives from the Federal Employment Agency, rehabilitation agencies, specialist integration services and advice centers also took part.