Funding Prize for the Future: Inspiring students with disabilities to participate!

Funding Prize for the Future: Inspiring students with disabilities to participate!

The Heidelberg University of Education and the Zonta Club Heidelberg honor committed students and doctoral students for innovative research work as part of the Annelie Wellensiek Sponsorship Prize. The application period extends from April 16 to June 23, 2025. The prize's endowment is 2,000 euros and the subject areas include democracy and media education as well as natural sciences and their didactics. This award offers women in these disciplines a valuable opportunity to present their research and receive recognition for their achievements.

A shining example of the success of the funding award is Sara Feser, who was awarded in 2021 for her master's thesis. Feser's work dealt with the participation of people with deafblindness and hearing impairment in working life. In her research, she conducted interviews with employees, employers and experts from advice centers and came to the conclusion that this group is often neglected in the world of work. It is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 people with this disability live in Germany, which underlines the relevance of their research.

Challenges and barriers

In her interviews, Feser identified common “barriers in the mind” that affect both employers and society in general. Their recommendations include tailored support for those affected, including peer exchanges and specialist advice centres. These approaches are necessary to promote the participation of people with disabilities and increase acceptance in society. Their work and its results show that there is still a significant need for action to improve social participation.

Loud IAB Participation in working life is of great importance for people with disabilities. Employment is the primary source of financial security and has both tangible and intangible benefits. These include a fixed time structure, social contacts and increased self-confidence. The high proportion of people with severe disabilities of working age - there were 3.1 million in 2017 - indicates that the challenges of integrating into the labor market continue to exist.

Structural and social hurdles

The Federal Agency for Civic Education highlights that the low employment rate of people with disabilities, which reaches 49%, poses additional challenges for them. This group has a higher unemployment rate of 11.5% compared to the general population at 7%. The reasons for this discrepancy are psychological stress, stigmatization and mobility restrictions, which are often perceived as hurdles in the world of work. Employers often have prejudices about the performance of people with disabilities, which further limits employment opportunities.

The need to revise legal regulations and measures to expand participation opportunities and adapt them to the changing world of work is therefore becoming increasingly urgent. Digitalization in particular presents both opportunities and risks for people with disabilities. Innovative programs and support networks are crucial to improving integration into the labor market and ensuring equality.

In view of these challenges, Sara Feser encourages young scientists to apply for the Annelie Wellensiek Prize. In her opinion, the recognition not only has a motivating effect, but also contributes to raising society's awareness of the concerns of people with disabilities. The combination of research, practical recommendations and public awareness is crucial to sustainably promote the participation of people with disabilities.