[Self-determination of the disabled (author's transl)]

Self-determination of the disabled is examined in the present paper on the criteria stated in the constitutional document of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, with a view to determining the extent to which disabled people are infringed upon in practising self-determination. It is shown that restrictions in self-determination are directly related to the severity of the disability, arising in particular from dependence on personal care, wheelchair dependence, financial difficulties, and in an institutional setting. Self-determination is a central concern in the entirely of disability work in the Federal Republic of Germany. Its implementation can be achieved only if a greater level of awareness and acceptance on the part of the non-disabled is brought about, as a basis of the will for positive partnership with the disabled. The disabled must equally accept the changes necessary to their lifestyles, in order to translate their right to fully develop their personality into actually self-determined life.