Bertelsmann Information Booth At IPC European Swimming Championships in Berlin

Knut Weltlich was a guest at the IPC European Swimming Championships for people with disabilities, which were recently held. In Berlin, the Group Representative for Disabled Employees presented his information booth, which has been very popular at many other occasions; he also presented a stand-up wheelchair that allows people with disabilities to become more integrated in active working life.

The best swimmers from all of Europe had gathered to score more points for their qualification for the Paralympics 2012 in London. Knut Weltlich and his team were represented in the swimming hall's lobby. Knut Weltlich: "Here we were able to show to the many interested guests who came to the swimming competition what Bertelsmann does for people with disabilities. On three large screens we demonstrated the technological possibilities for wheelchair drivers to the visitors and athletes: with the help of the so-called stand-up wheelchair they can actually straighten up – most of the visitors had never seen anything like it before."

Weltlich summed up the event: "It is fascinating to see what kind of technical support we can offer people with disabilities today. However, this is only the first step. Something has to change in many minds in order for all of us to understand that performance doesn't know a handicap, as we have seen, not least, in the talented swimmers here in Berlin!"