Little helper in big action: Lukas' rise to a new attitude to life!

Little helper in big action: Lukas' rise to a new attitude to life!

The construction of the outdoor lift for eight-year-old Lukas, who is paralyzed on one side after a stroke, is progressing quickly. How vol.at reported that windows and doors have now been delivered and successfully installed. Lukas actively helps with the construction and is already showing remarkable personal responsibility.

The initiative aims to give Lukas more independence and a better quality of life. A call for donations in December 2024, which brought in 100,000 euros, significantly advanced the project. The installation of the windows and doors represents significant progress that is on schedule. Lukas' first lift ride is eagerly awaited.

Independence through technology

Similar to Lukas with his lift project, wheelchair user Thomas Migat has also gained new freedom in Iserlohn. A modern hub lift made by Lokalkompass.de was installed, connects his balcony on the mezzanine floor with the pedestrian path and enables him to reach this area independently. Thomas, who has lived in his apartment since 2001 and can no longer speak, made his joy about the new lift clear. The costs were borne entirely by his housing company Vonovia.

Technological solutions make a crucial contribution to ensuring that people with disabilities can lead self-determined lives. The right to self-determined housing is anchored in the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UN-BRK), which was ratified in Germany in 2009. Loud bpb.de Article 19 Para. 1 of the UN CRPD aims to give people with disabilities the opportunity to freely choose their place of residence and not have to live in special living arrangements.

Housing shortage and challenges

Although the Federal Participation Act (BTHG) of 2016 improves the framework conditions for more self-determination, significant challenges still exist. In Germany, 54% of people with disabilities do not live in special forms of housing, but there is still a lack of barrier-free living space. The current housing market is overloaded, with a deficit of around 700,000 apartments, which further exacerbates the situation for people with disabilities.

Creating barrier-free housing near public transport remains a major challenge. However, initiatives in various federal states, such as Lower Saxony, are committed to developing information and advice infrastructures in order to better meet the need for the housing in question. Despite the legal framework, practical implementation is often slow and requires further efforts from everyone involved.