Inclusion check NRW: Funding creates new opportunities for everyone!

The "Inclusion Check NRW" was introduced in 2019 to strengthen the participation of people with disabilities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Minister of Social Affairs Karl-Josef Laumann said that the program was particularly popular due to the high demand and that a total of 376 inclusion checks were approved in 2024. This corresponds to an increase of 117 checks compared to the previous year.

The flat rate that clubs and organizations can apply for is 2,000 euros and is often used for the inclusive design of offers. The most common use of the inclusion checks in 2024 was to implement measures on accessibility, as 86 of the 376 approved checks document. An example of this is the conversion of inputs or the installation of stair lifts at various facilities. Innovative projects such as the use of mobile timpani in the Spielmannszug "Blau-Weiß" in Essen-Heisingen also received support.

funding projects and versatile offers

As part of the program, numerous information events, advanced training and project days took place. One example is the day of sign language at the Paul Gerhardt primary school in Bonn, which was part of 58 funded measures. Furthermore, in 56 cases including sports offers, including riding, swimming, sailing, archery and football.

The number of funds included in the inclusive leisure activities rose by 25 to a total of 39, with projects such as the Rosa Parks comprehensive school in Ennigerloh and Neubeckum. Also in the cultural area, an almost doubling of the funded cultural and media projects was recorded, from 20 to 38. The supported cultural projects include "We make radio" in the district of Lemgo and a "podcast for inclusion" in Solingen. Further funding included barrier -free web design, public relations and including festivals.

The Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs has been providing at least 500,000 euros annually since the program was introduced to enable funding. Applications for inclusion checks can be submitted easily online. It is important that the planned activities address a large group of people and are carried out in North Rhine-Westphalia in the same year. Another aspect is the prerequisites that have to ensure the financial support for including offers, such as Land.nrw reported.

In addition, the Ministry also supports the participation of people with disabilities with the “Inclusion Check NRW” program in 2023. Barrier -free events, technological aids and publications are continuously encouraged. A particularly outstanding project in the previous year was the digitization of musicians for visually impaired musicians and the introduction of mobile ramps for museums that were included in the list of funded initiatives, as reported.