The DBR and its Structure

The German Disability Council reflects the whole range and diversity of the non-governmental organizations of and for disabled and chronically ill people and their relatives in Germany. It also takes into account the different forms of handicaps ("cross-disability").

In the definition of the various bodies of the German Disability Council, the term "people affected by disability or a chronic disease" does not only mean the disabled and chronically ill people themselves but also the relatives of disabled and chronically ill people who are not able to represent themselves by their own.

Membership in the German Disability Council is based on three pillars:

Traditional social associations
the "BAGH", its member associations and other associations dealing with disability concerns
independent associations of and for disabled people

The plenary session of the German Disability Council is made up by the delegates of the member associations of the DBR (general assembly). It takes decisions in all essential matters. Every member of the German Disability Council has one vote. The continuity of the political and organizational work of the DBR is ensured by the working committee. The working committee consists of 12 people; six of them have to be "people affected by disability or a chronic disease". The members of the working committee are nominated by the three types of member associations (pillars) in equal number.

The German Disability Council is represented outside as well as at national, European and international level by members of the group of spokesmen. The group of spokesmen sees itself as a team of colleagues and consists of four people the majority of which have to be people affected by disability or a chronic disease.

All decisions taken by the committees of the German Disability Council have to achieve unanimity.