The Olsberg Disability Interest Group has set itself the task of eliminating discrimination against people with disabilities in the town and ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in society.
The Olsberg Disability Interest Group (BIV) will also be represented on the Planning and Building Committee in future: the members of the town council have now unanimously elected BIV Chairman Daniel Albers as an expert resident for the committee. This means that Daniel Albers can now take part in the meetings of the Planning and Building Committee in an advisory capacity.
This committee is of particular importance to the BIV, as it can focus on the aspect of accessibility in construction projects. Expert residents are effectively "advisors" in committees - they do not have the right to vote. Daniel Albers' deputy is Lukas Danne.
"Advisor" on the committee
Background: A few weeks ago, the town of Olsberg and the BIV concluded an agreement to integrate the interests of people with disabilities even more closely into local politics. According to Mayor Wolfgang Fischer, they now want to work together to achieve the goal of accessibility and equality for people with disabilities, which is laid down in the Equal Opportunities Act of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
At the same time, he emphasised that accessibility and inclusion not only serve people with disabilities, but all citizens: "Accessibility not only makes it easier for people in wheelchairs to participate in society, but also for families with pushchairs or senior citizens who use a walking frame."
Daniel Albers is the new Chairman. He has taken over the management of the organisation from Helmut Drechsler. The handover has now taken place in Olsberg town hall together with Mayor Wolfgang Fischer, the honorary representative for disabled people in the Hochsauerland district Ferdi Lenze and his predecessor Heinz Arenhövel.
Helmut Drechsler became Chairman of the BIV in 2012, succeeding the late Kurt Bruhn. Mayor Fischer thanked Helmut Drechsler for his work - over the past nine years, the BIV had "achieved a lot of positive things for people with disabilities in the town of Olsberg."
One example: During the planning and implementation of the construction measures of the Olsberg Centre Concept (ZKO), the BIV was an important contact for the city administration team, said Wolfgang Fischer: "A great deal of expertise was contributed here for the concerns of people with disabilities." Mayor Fischer also thanked the new Chairman Daniel Albers for his willingness to take on responsibility in the BIV. Daniel Albers lives in Bigge and had already attended the Ruhraue school here. Heinz Arenhövel also thanked the outgoing Chairman Helmut Drechsler - as well as the town of Olsberg: "This was a lively collaboration at eye level." With Rembert Busch, who will continue to hold the office of secretary in the BIV, proven forces will continue to work on the board.
Around 15 people from the entire town of Olsberg are involved in representing the interests of disabled people. Important: The BIV works for all citizens in the town area. Wolfgang Fischer: "More accessibility doesn't just benefit people with disabilities, for example - senior citizens with rollators or families with pushchairs also benefit." The BIV Olsberg is open to further supporters.
Anyone interested can contact the disability interest group by emailing biv@olsberg.de.