Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

2010 Category 1: Germany
Europe and North America
Germany
2010 Category 1 — 1st Place Winner
Tandem Partnerships in Science:
Network for Integration Projects
Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Agency for Vaccines and Biomedicines
Description
A networking approach to generating jobs for people with disabilities, with attention
to matters: from initial career planning to educational specialization.
Summary
In Germany, by law, 5 percent of jobs have to be filled by disabled people. The Tandem
Partnerships in Science initiative advances a networking approach to generating
jobs for people with disabilities. The network concept and its goals stem from the
recognition that people with serious physical impairments are underrepresented in
science and research, but with appropriate supports, they can successfully study and/
or work in the profession for which they are trained. The aim is to plan for long-term
professional careers for this group, addressing various needs from vocational training
to university course work to doctoral education to qualification as specialised scientists.
This initiative combines training and work experiences, providing a model that
could be applicable to other fields as well.
The Problem
In the past, measures for integrating disabled people into the workforce in Germany
focused mainly on low-level qualifications. The Tandem Partnerships in Science initiative,
by contrast, pursues new approaches in order to put participants on a path to
professional advancement. In this project, people with disabilities are offered attractive
employment opportunities appropriate to their physical but especially their intellectual
resources. These activities are integrated into a working environment that
provides a high degree of independence.
It is clear that people with physical impairments—especially those with severe disabilities—are
underrepresented in science and research. However, if provided with appropriate
supports, they are able to study and/or work in many areas of science. Progressively
challenging professional careers should be possible through vocational training, university
course work, PhD studies, and qualification as specialised scientists.
While disabled people face challenges in pursuing science careers, public and private
employers also face the loss of skilled staff. The Tandem in Science initiative aims to
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