"Different together – strong together"

What does it take for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to be able to work on an equal footing? And what can companies, interest groups, politics and society contribute to more inclusion in the world of work? These questions are the focus of this special episode of "vidaHören". Three committed voices have their say: Horst Benigni, Chairman of the ÖBB Group Representative for the Disabled, Gernot Reinthaler, Managing Director of the ÖZIV Federal Association, and Jovana Henschel from ÖZIV Support Styria. It is about everyday challenges, successful projects and the power of good cooperation for a barrier-free working world.

Inclusion on track: Living diversity

Accessibility begins in the mind – and is gradually becoming a reality at Austria's largest mobility service provider, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). Horst Benigni is employed by ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. For several years now, he has been working as a disability representative for his colleagues with disabilities and chronic illnesses. On 1 July 2025, Horst Benigni has taken over as Chairman of the Disability Representation in the entire ÖBB Group.

Horst Benigni's tasks as a representative for the disabled are diverse: they range from personal advice to support for reintegration to awareness-raising work for managers. He is particularly proud of innovative projects such as the "Opportunity Plan" – a pilot project of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG that regularly brings people with disabilities to open jobs – without special paths, but with targeted support.

Barrier-free together: ÖBB and ÖZIV launch pilot project

ÖZIV – Austria's largest interest group for people with disabilities – plays a major role in workplace inclusion. For over 60 years, ÖZIV has been advising, mediating and supporting those affected - for example through the ÖZIV Support service, which offers individual coaching throughout Austria. ÖZIV also offers technical advice, training and awareness-raising measures for companies with "Access".

A special milestone is the pilot project between ÖBB and ÖZIV launched in 2025, in which consultation days for ÖBB employees are offered at nine locations. The interest is great – a clear sign of need and impact.

Making invisible disabilities visible

But despite many successes, much remains to be done. Particularly invisible disabilities such as chronic or mental illnesses often go undetected in everyday work - and thus also disregarded, emphasizes Horst Benigni.

Gernot Reinthaler is particularly concerned about the threat of underfunding of important support projects due to cuts in the equalisation tax fund. The demand: an inclusive working time model with wage compensation – as already exists in the case of partial retirement or reintegration – especially for people with chronic illnesses who cannot work full-time, but should still be economically secure.

Inclusion conference as an important source of inspiration

A highlight of the cooperation is the inclusion conference every year, which is organised by the vida trade union together with cooperation partners. This is where those affected, experts, companies and interest groups come together - for exchange, new ideas and political demands.

The inclusion conference, which took place in mid-June this year in the ÖGB and Trade Union House in Vienna, showed once again: Networking creates change. Managers, interest groups and those affected pull together – for a working world in which diversity is lived as a strength.