Inclusion Conference 2026: Disability, Illness and Loneliness in the World of Work

On 16 June 2026, around 250 interested people came together at the ÖGB and trade union building Catamaran in Vienna. The trade union vida, the ÖGB, the AK Vienna, the ÖZIV Federal Association and the KOBV invited to the inclusion conference in order to make barriers in the world of work visible and to discuss solutions for more participation.

People with disabilities and chronic illnesses continue to encounter numerous hurdles in their professional lives. At the same time, loneliness is increasingly developing into a social challenge that does not stop at jobs. Under the motto "Disability, Illness, Loneliness – You Are Not Alone!", the conference was dedicated to current challenges and concrete solutions for more inclusion.

The focus was on topics such as working with disabilities, personal assistance, reintegration after health restrictions, mobility in everyday working life as well as promotion and support services.

Focus on loneliness

A special focus was on the topic of loneliness. Experts from science and practice shed light on their effects on health and working life and discussed possible counter-strategies with the participants. A guide on the topic of loneliness was also presented, which was developed together with the Platform against Loneliness, a project of Social City Vienna.

Workshops, discussion rounds and information booths complemented the program and offered space for networking, exchange of experiences and practical support.

"Pandemic of the present is loneliness"

"Disability can affect each and every one of us – temporarily or permanently. Therefore, it is not the impairment itself that is decisive, but the question of how our society deals with it." With these words, AK President Renate Anderl opened this year's conference.

ÖGB Vice President Christa Hörmann emphasized that illnesses or accidents can fundamentally change lives from one day to the next. This makes it all the more important that no one loses touch with working life and society after a long illness. "Loneliness is not only a social problem, but can also have a significant impact on health," she said, referring to the role of inclusion in preventive health care.

ÖZIV President Rudolf Kravanja emphasized the importance of networking and commitment in the sense of inclusion in order to achieve social improvements: "In order to counteract loneliness, it is important for us to bring all people with disabilities into working life! Such events are more important than ever and can show new solutions and projects."

Franz Groschan, President of KOBV Austria – The Association of the Disabled, explained that a disability often leads to limited social participation and makes integration into the labour market more difficult. "It must not be like this. When we work together and share our knowledge, we all benefit, so we don't have to feel lonely in the future," says Groschan.

Harald Steer, health spokesman for the trade union vida Vienna and chairman of the works council of the Anton Proksch Institute, emphasised the importance of those affected, representatives of the disabled and works councils who work for more inclusion every day. With regard to this year's main topic, Steer emphasized that illness and loneliness often condition and reinforce each other. This downward spiral must be broken. "You are not alone - this promise is not a cheap consolation. It is our legal mandate, our moral duty and our daily lived promise as works councils, staff representatives and representatives for the disabled!"

At the same time, he referred to the increasing stresses in the world of work. This makes cohesion and mutual consideration all the more important. His closing remarks summed up the spirit of the event: "When the pressure increases, when health dwindles and when the fear of social exclusion grows, then we are the first to reach out".

Exchange on work, health and participation

The other programme included a keynote speech by Alexander Miklautz from the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection as well as several parallel workshops on subsidies, reintegration and mobility in everyday working life. A separate round of talks was dedicated to the topic of loneliness and offered space for an open exchange. In this context, Yvonne Rychly, women's chairwoman of vida Vienna and patron of the Tatort Workplace initiative, presented the chat bench as a symbol of lived togetherness. "The chat bench stands for something very valuable: time for each other. This is often lost in everyday work. This makes it all the more important to have places and opportunities where people can talk to each other," says Rychly. 30 information stands complemented the offer with advice and support.

The Inclusion Conference 2026 made it clear that loneliness, illness and disability are not marginal issues in working life. Solidarity, education and joint commitment are essential prerequisites for a working world that excludes no one and enables all people to participate.