Reach your goal with "calm" and good company

What rights do children and young people with a disability have? How can they best assert them? Where is further help available?

The City of Beckum has recently appointed Janna Ruhe as a procedure pilot to look after the interests of the families concerned. She is the first point of contact for children and young people with (potential) disabilities and their parents in Beckum. The trained sign language teacher and rehabilitation scientist supports parents and guardians in applying for integration assistance, advises on possible benefits, provides information on their rights and explains how and where applications can be made. And all of this is independent, confidential and free of charge for parents.

Since May of this year, Janna Ruhe has been supporting the families to enable the child to participate in education and social life and to make it easier for them to lead an individualised life. "I support the families in everything that helps their child with a disability," explains Janna Ruhe. For example, this could be a transport service to school or support with applying for an assistive device. The parents decide for themselves when and if they want to make use of the help provided by the process guide. The fact that Janna Ruhe is fluent in German sign language proves to be a stroke of luck: "I was able to make good use of this in my first conversations," explains the new specialist in the child and youth welfare service.

To raise awareness in Beckum, Janna Ruhe will soon be introducing herself to daycare centres and schools. She also has a flyer available everywhere to draw attention to her new service, which has been required by law since January 2024. She can be contacted on 0151 53432488 or ruhe@beckum.de. The counselling sessions can take place at families' homes in Beckum, Neubeckum, Roland or Vellern or on the premises of the town of Beckum.