As part of the 19th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York, the Kompetenzzentrum Inklusive Bildung Sachsen-Anhalt was also represented. A member of the KIB team attended a side event hosted by the German Federal Government together with the City of New York and the Goethe-Institut New York.

The event focused on how art and culture can be made more accessible and on the conditions needed to enable people with disabilities to participate equally in cultural life and actively help shape it. Under the title “Art and Accessibility: Cultural Participation and Inclusion in the Arts”, international representatives from politics, administration, culture and self-advocacy discussed current developments, challenges and good practice examples.

The panel included Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner for Disability Rights of the City of New York; Dr Muhannad Alazzeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and Prof. Dr Annette von Kalckreuth from the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The event was moderated by Lachi, an artist and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.

One idea from the discussion was particularly closely connected to the work of the KIB. Lachi made clear that awareness-raising on accessibility and participation can only be credible if people with disabilities are able to speak for themselves and contribute their own expertise. In essence, she stated:

Anyone seeking to raise awareness of accessibility and participation needs the perspectives of people with disabilities. Lived expertise is not an addition; it is a prerequisite.

For the KIB, this idea was especially relevant. Lachi’s statement touches on a central aspect of our work: participation gains in quality when people with disabilities are not merely involved, but are taken seriously as experts in their own right. The international exchange in New York once again confirmed the importance of educational and awareness-raising work that is based on lived expertise.

Following the panel discussion, Berlin-based rapper Graf Fidi performed a concert. He had previously been a guest at the KIB’s second anniversary celebration in Stendal in 2023. Before his performance, he spoke with Lachi on stage about art, visibility and participation. His appearance once again made it tangible how important cultural spaces are when people with disabilities become visible themselves, contribute artistic perspectives and help shape social debates.

Important conversations also took place beyond the official programme. The invitation from Jürgen Dusel, the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities, to a joint dinner on Sunday was especially welcome. This also provided an opportunity to discuss current developments around inclusion, accessibility and participation and to establish new contacts.

For the KIB, the trip to New York was an important source of inspiration and, at the same time, a strong signal that the perspectives of people with disabilities are needed at all levels: locally, nationally and internationally. The conversations showed that inclusive education, cultural participation and political co-determination are closely connected. All three require spaces in which people with disabilities can contribute their own experiences and be heard.

The KIB is pleased to have made its work visible at an international level and to have gained valuable impulses for its further work in Saxony-Anhalt.