On a crisp Saturday in late November, the halls of Berlin’s Abgeordnetenhaus will transform into the heart of a unique democratic experiment. The Berliner Behindertenparlament, or Berlin Disability Parliament, will convene on November 21, 2026, where people with disabilities will discuss important political topics and participation. The event, held in the main plenary hall, will feature a question and answer session with several Berlin senators.
The day’s proceedings will begin with an admission to the Abgeordnetenhaus from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. At 11:00 AM, the Berliner Behindertenparlament will commence in the plenary hall. The agenda includes a welcome address by Hendrikje Klein, President of the Abgeordnetenhaus Berlin, followed by statements from inclusion policy spokespersons of the factions. The current spokespersons will be thanked and the new ones introduced.
Question and Answer Session with Berlin Senators
A central element of the event will be a question and answer session. From 11:15 AM, participants can ask questions to Berlin senators, including Stefan Evers, Mayor and Senator for Finance; Katharina Günther-Wunsch, Senator for Education, Youth and Family; and Dr. Felor Badenberg, Senator for Justice and Consumer Protection. After a lunch break at 1:00 PM, the session will resume at 2:00 PM, featuring more senators. This portion will see Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises; Ute Bonde, Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and Environment; and Dr. Ina Czyborra, Senator for Science, Health and Care.
Program and Accessibility
The event is scheduled to run from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Abgeordnetenhaus is accessible for people with disabilities and offers accessible restrooms. The event will provide sign language, written language, and easy language interpretation. A quiet room and breaks are also planned. Participants could apply for a spot up to September 30, 2026, with 120 spots available for individuals from Berlin who are at least 16 years old, including people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, their relatives, and supporters. The event will be broadcast live on the local station ALEX Berlin and on YouTube.
Preparatory Focus Groups
In preparation for the main event, several focus groups will meet in 2026. The Fokusgruppe Arbeit und Beschäftigung will meet on June 18, July 23, and August 27. The Fokusgruppe Bildung will meet on June 23, July 15, and August 25. The Fokusgruppe Mobilität will meet on June 29, July 13, and August 17. BBP-Treffpunkt meetings will be held on June 30, July 28, and September 22.
