Verein WIR
For three decades, the social service provider WIR has been supporting people with disabilities, offering inclusive work and living opportunities and everyday assistance.
The non-profit organization, Verein WIR, began as a pilot project 30 years ago, fundamentally changing how individuals with disabilities were integrated into the community. “People who were previously taken from psychiatric institutions weren’t visible in public,” explained Managing Director Gerhard Eckstein. “Fortunately, a lot has changed for the better in the last 30 years.”
Working at the In-House Café
Today, Verein WIR supports approximately 115 people with various disabilities across 12 locations, including Hall, Tulfes, Fritzens, and Wiesing. Services range from supported living and mobile assistance with structured daily routines to inclusive employment at the Erzspeicher Café in Haller Lend. According to Eckstein, employees with disabilities at the café are employed under collective bargaining agreements and receive social security benefits.
Located in the heart of Hall’s old town, the Verein’s workshop provides daily structure for people with disabilities. The workshop also sells handcrafted products, fostering connections between those supported by the organization and the surrounding community. The organization states that the 18 clients working there also complete custom orders for businesses, and individuals.
Participation is Key for People with Disabilities
The social services and the approximately 185 full- and part-time staff are funded through public funds. Managing Director Gerhard Eckstein expressed hope that “participation in life for people with disabilities remains more than just a political buzzword.” For Verein WIR, inclusion has been a reality for the past 30 years. This long-standing commitment highlights the importance of sustained support for inclusive initiatives.
