Inclusion in the service: a festival of diversity in Vienna!

Inclusion in the service: a festival of diversity in Vienna!

On December 3, 2024, the Auxiliary Bishop Franz Scharl celebrated a special service in St. St. Stephen's Cathedral on the occasion of the international day of people with disabilities. This service was open to blind, deaf and people with multiple and intellectual disabilities and was fully interpreted in sign language. Scharl emphasized the importance of integrating people with disabilities into the community: "People with disabilities belong in the middle of our society and church," said his urgent appeal. The event not only showed the inclusion of people with disabilities, but also included musical performances, including the Harfenteam "Saitensalat", in which members play with Down syndrome.

including celebrations and challenges

The fair offered a platform in which people with disabilities were able to actively participate. They designed the service, stopped intercessing, performed pantomime and played music. Traian Tamas, the head of the Vienna hospital and nursing home, pointed out that the use to create an inclusive atmosphere was valuable, but often exhausting. "An inclusive service like this one is still not a matter of course," he said, emphasizing that the preparation and dedication were necessary to reduce barriers and promote understanding. A believer noticed: "Often the way is tedious because we are not understood."

In an impressive sign of solidarity and openness, this service was celebrated in one of the most famous churches in Vienna, which, according to kathpress.at, shows that there is still a lot to do to do to do so To achieve inclusion in all areas of life. However, the commitment of everyone involved was a clear commitment to a society in which everyone, regardless of their skills, is heard and respected. The event reflects the long -term vision that people with disabilities not only have to be accepted, but also actively integrated into the community, as was mentioned in a report that such events should not only be a unique highlight, but also a necessary standard in order to promote interaction in society.