The guests were welcomed by Michael Eibl, Director of the Catholic Youth Welfare Service of the Diocese of Regensburg (KJF). According to Eibl, the aim of the KJF's numerous support services in the field of rehabilitation is to ‘give each individual the help they need to integrate into our society’. The Catholic Youth Welfare Service was founded in 1912. It experienced significant growth in the 1970s with the introduction of social legislation. ‘On the side of young people ... for life’ is the slogan of the church-based charitable organisation. Support for people with disabilities and their families begins in the premature baby ward and extends to special schools, workshops and vocational training centres, as well as support for people with disabilities in old age. The oldest resident of a KJF facility is 104 years old. In order to ensure the best possible care, the organisation works hand in hand with various institutions. ‘This is not about fierce competition,’ says Eibl.
‘Welcome to the new Hermannsberg,’ said Bernd Röhrl, head of the education and leisure centre, as he began his tour. Bernd Röhrl has many years of experience as a restaurateur in restaurant, ship and hotel kitchens. Most recently, he worked as a trainer for hotels and restaurants at the BBW Abensberg vocational training centre before taking over as head of Hermannsberg in 2023. He has big plans here: the location is to offer space for club and company events, as well as private celebrations. In March 2025, DER Hermannsberg reopened after extensive renovation. Since then, modern, fully accessible single and double rooms have provided accommodation for 29 overnight guests. DER Hermannsberg is run by around 40 employees with and without disabilities. Bernd Röhrl's recipe for success: ‘I try to assess the abilities of my employees correctly and give them the tasks that suit them best.’ In addition to the conference centre, Hermannsberg also runs a certified organic farm and cultivates its own vineyards in Regensburg (Winzer and Kager). Its own food trailer offers further opportunities for use.
DER Hermannsberg is one of eight locations belonging to KJF Werkstätten gGmbH. Melanie Eibl, managing director, then presented the concept behind the non-profit company to the guests. The company's goal is to enable people with disabilities to participate in working life, receive vocational training and qualifications and, most importantly, find employment in the primary labour market wherever possible. Proximity to industry through the processing of relevant orders, but also close cooperation with inclusive companies, plays an important role here, because, according to Eibl, the biggest challenge lies in shaping the transitions. DER Hermannsberg is a cooperation between KJF Werkstätten and SIGMA Inklusionsbetrieb.
How can inclusion and integration succeed in practice? This was discussed by Michael Eibl, Melanie Eibl, Susanne Scherrer, Head of Human Resources at Katholische Jugendfürsorge Regensburg, Sebastian Müller, Inclusion Officer at Katholische Jugendfürsorge Regensburg, and Martin Schmid, Coordinator and Inclusion Advisor at EAA Region Oberpfalz, moderated by Julia Punk, Human Resources Development Officer at Katholische Jugendfürsorge Regensburg. "People with disabilities all have their strengths, and these strengths must be utilised. We mustn't always focus on their deficits," emphasised Sebastian Müller, himself an alumnus of the Master's programme in Social Work Inclusion – Exclusion at OTH Regensburg. However, inclusion and accessibility always mean compromises, according to Müller. Martin Schmid expressly pointed out the possibility for employers to obtain comprehensive advice and support regarding the employment of people with disabilities.
A small wine tasting from the university's own vineyard, accompanied by culinary highlights from the house, rounded off the event and gave alumni and friends of OTH Regensburg the opportunity to continue their discussions.
Together with the OTH Regensburg alumni network, the Association of Friends of OTH Regensburg e.V. organises alumni get-togethers with company excursions. The networking event offers all alumni and friends of the university the opportunity to get to know companies and institutions in the region and make interesting contacts.
