The specialist group “Participation and Inclusion in the Context of Disabilities in Social Work” was founded at the end of 2023. The aim of the specialist group is to take into account inclusion and participation with a focus on disability, the rights and living situations of people with disabilities, and the requirements of social work in disability contexts. The aim is to critically reflect on the topic of social work in the context of disability and to work on the differentiated establishment of professional self-image.

A detailed description of the understanding of the terms participation and inclusion, as developed by members of the specialist group, was discussed within the specialist group, and adopted as the current state of discussion.

The expert group serves as a forum for regular professional exchange and works on a project and publication basis. Among other things, it conducts workshops and drafts statements on current human rights and disability policy issues and events. The expert group communicates via an email distribution list and meets regularly online, in person, and at the DGSA annual conference.

The specialist group facilitates regular professional exchange and works on a project and publication basis. Among other things, it conducts workshops and drafts statements on current human rights and disability policy issues and events. The specialist group communicates via an email distribution list and meets regularly online, in person, and at the DGSA annual conference.

Interested parties (practitioners and representatives from related disciplines of social work, students, doctoral candidates) are cordially invited to join the expert group “Participation and Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Social Work,” to get involved, and to discuss topics and issues related to inclusion, participation, and disability.

Please feel free to contact the spokespersons of the specialist group at any time if you are interested in participating or would like to be added to the email distribution list.

The specialist group meets at regular intervals. The next dates are as follows:

April 25, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room S102 as part of the DGSA annual conference at Mönchengladbach University of Applied Sciences; see also the conference website.