Jürgen Dusel

Jürgen Dusel, Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities

Jürgen Dusel has been Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities since May 2018. In 2022, he was nominated for a second term. Jürgen Dusel is a legal expert. He was born with a severe visual impairment.

Under Germany’s Act on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, his mandate is to see to it that the German Federation meets its responsibility of working towards equal living conditions of persons with and without disabilities in all areas of life.

The slogan for his term in office is: “Democracy needs inclusion”.

The Federal Government Commissioner is independent and involved in political decisions in all German federal ministries. The federal ministries are required to consult the Federal Government Commissioner, especially regarding laws and regulations that affect persons with disabilities.

The Federal Government Commissioner acts as a bridge-builder between persons with disabilities and the German Government: His contacts with persons with disabilities, non-governmental organisations and organisations of persons with disabilities help him to provide advice to the German Government. What are the expectations and demands vis-à-vis policymakers? What can be improved? Which legal standards are not yet being implemented?

The Federal Government Commissioner and his team inform the public about the legal situation in Germany and raise awareness of the importance of inclusion in all areas of life. Public relations work, a presence on social media and policy events help reduce barriers in people’s heads and in everyday life so that the participation of persons with disabilities in society becomes something natural.

Biography:

• 1985: University entrance qualification (Abitur)

• 1992: Primary bar examination, Heidelberg University

• 1995: Advanced bar examination, Higher Regional Court, Stuttgart

• 1996: Lawyer, Central Welfare Office, federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

• 1998: Head of Department, Nursing Home Supervisory Authority/Regional Adult Guardianship Authority, Brandenburg State Office for Social Affairs and Medical Care and Compensation for War Victims

• 2002: Head of Integration Office, Brandenburg State Office for Social Affairs and Medical Care and Compensation for War Victims

• 2007: Deputy Head of Directorate-General 3 (Supervision, Social Affairs and Forensic Psychiatry, Integration Office), Brandenburg State Office for Social Affairs and Medical Care and Compensation for War Victims, at the same time Head of the Integration Office, federal state of Brandenburg

• 2009: Head of Department, Supervision and Placement under the Brandenburg Act on Persons with Mental Health Problems

• 2010: Commissioner for Matters Relating to Persons with Disabilities, federal state of Brandenburg

• 2015: Re-appointment as Commissioner for Matters Relating to Persons with Disabilities, federal state of Brandenburg

• 2018: Appointment as Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities

• 2022: Re-appointment as Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities