TSV Wefensleben 1990 e.V., along with 11 other teams throughout Germany, has managed to establish a new sport in the Börde district with its wheelchair handball initiative. Anyone who is interested can take part.
"Our big goal is to take part in point matches with our own sports wheelchairs and possibly also in a national wheelchair handball league that is currently being founded," explains Torsten Fieseler, President of the Börde District Sports Association and Chairman of TSV Wefensleben 1990 e.V.
The German government's participation report shows that 55 per cent of people with disabilities do not take part in sport. In comparison: Among people without disabilities, only 32 per cent do not do any sport.
"The difference is definitely too big," says Andrea Watteroth, Participation Officer for the Börde district. The biggest obstacle to the inclusion of people with disabilities continues to be mental barriers. Together with the Börde District Sports Association and other network partners, her aim is to enable all people to participate fully and independently in all social activities.
"We must continue to work on meeting people with disabilities at eye level and involving them as experts in their own cause," says Watteroth.