Signals in Upper Austria

How demographic change is now opening doors

There was already more to do in the Lebenshilfe workshops - here pictures from Linz-Urfahr and Ried im Innkreis.(Bild: Lebenshilfe OÖ (2))

Demographic change and the growing labor shortage are ensuring that companies are increasingly opening their doors to people with disabilities. Grocer Billa plus is even emphasizing this in Enns (Upper Austria) in the coming days with a week of inclusion. "People are often underestimated," says Gerhard Scheinast, head of Lebenshilfe Upper Austria.

From Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26, a week of inclusion will take place at the Billa-plus store in Enns to raise awareness that there are also jobs for people with disabilities in the food trade.

Interested parties can try out jobs directly on site. At the same time, the company also wants to learn what it takes to make inclusion even more possible. For Claus Jungkunz, the topic is a matter close to his heart anyway.

The topic of inclusion is gaining momentum in Upper Austria. Companies are realizing that they need to break new ground.

Claus Jungkunz, Geschäftsführer und Gründer „con tour“

The management consultancy he founded supports companies in employing people with disabilities: "Everyone, regardless of disability or age, has abilities. It's nice to see when barriers dissolve in people's minds and the issue is not approached from a deficit-oriented perspective, but from an ability-oriented one."

Gerhard Scheinast, Managing Director of Lebenshilfe OÖ, and Claus Jungkunz, founder and Managing Director of "con tour".(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Cityfoto/Pelzl, Bernadett Gumpenberger)

Demographic change and a growing shortage of workers mean that untapped potential is being used to fill vacancies. Finding a job remains difficult for people with disabilities.

"They are often underestimated. Time and again, people are amazed at what our employees can achieve," emphasizes Gerhard Scheinast.

We are feeling the effects of the economic crisis. Contract work in the workshops for companies is declining.

Gerhard Scheinast, Geschäftsführer Lebenshilfe OÖ

The Managing Director of Lebenshilfe Oberösterreich sees a decline in contract work in the workshops, partly as a result of the economic crisis: "We need to advertise more strongly for orders."