Diversity leads!
Disability Leadership – a leadership programme for people with disabilities.
Professional development:
A network where you can showcase your strengths:
Finally be heard as a leader and contribute to an open society:
Disability Leadership started on 31 October 2025.
Right Now!
Supported by the Licht ins Dunkel Innovation Fund, the Right Now association, in cooperation with the Bertha von Suttner Private University in St. Pölten, is launching this innovative course, which is unique in Austria and trains new leaders with and for people with disabilities.
Disability Leadership course – become a leader!
The Disability Leadership programme supports people with disabilities who want to take on responsibility.
What is the goal?
We want to encourage people with disabilities to take on leadership roles. This can be in associations, interest groups or other organisations.
Who can participate?
- People with disabilities who want to get involved.
- It doesn’t matter whether you are already working or not.
- You don’t need any special training or a school leaving certificate such as the Matura.
What will you learn?
- How to take on responsibility.
- How to stand up for the rights of people with disabilities.
- How to motivate other people and work with them.
How does the course work?
- There are workshops, seminars and projects.
- The content is designed to be easy to understand.
- The course is flexible, running from November 2025 to June 2027. If you need a break, that’s possible.
How can you participate?
- The 2025 application process is now closed.
- The actual course started on 31 October 2025.
- We would like to thank the many fantastic applicants from all over Austria who impressed us with their energy and motivation.
Would you like to know more?
Get in touch with us if you are interested!
- At office@vereinrightnow.at
- In a personal meeting at our office at Schottenring 33 (advance registration required)
Course structure
The course combines experience-based learning with practical content and is divided into three main parts:
Part A: Disability Leadership – A New Approach to Leadership
Disability Leadership means: Leading people with disabilities.
Their experiences are important.
Why is this important?
Many bosses work alone.
Disability leadership focuses on cooperation.
Everyone should be able to participate.
Our goals are
- Fewer barriers
- More bosses with disabilities
- New ideas for leadership
What you will learn:
- Disability studies & disability justice
Disability studies explore how people with disabilities live and are treated in society. The aim is to break down prejudices and develop new perspectives.
Disability justice means fairness for people with disabilities. It advocates for everyone to have the same rights and for no one to be excluded. - Inclusion & accessible communication
Inclusion means that everyone can participate everywhere.
Accessible communication means that all people can understand information – regardless of whether they have a disability or not. - Political participation & social change
Political participation means that people with disabilities can have a say in decisions – in politics, in rules and in society.
Social change means that society changes so that everyone can live on an equal footing.
You will learn how to be a good leader.
Diversity makes leadership stronger – and brings about long-term change in organisations and society.
Part B: Practical learning and networking
In the second part, you will learn more about leadership. You will find out how different bosses work.
- You can take part in external leadership programmes – alone or in small groups.
Leadership programmes are training courses in which people learn to lead teams, make decisions and solve problems. They help you to become a good leader. - You can work in organisations and accompany leaders.
There are meetings where participants can talk to important people and organisations from the disability movement. - A mentoring programme helps you personally:
Mentors are experienced individuals who pass on their knowledge and experience. They support and advise you so that you can develop further and achieve your goals.
Part C: Implementing your own projects and taking responsibility
In the third part, you put your knowledge into practice. You plan and implement your own project, for example in:
- Politics
- Activism
- Collaboration with organisations
You use your skills to solve problems, gain experience as a leader and help shape change.
Contact
- Head: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Oliver Koenig
- Team: Mag.a Marina Einböck, Valerie Sophie List, MA, Mag. Daniel Wagner
- Contact: office@vereinrightnow.at
