DFG-Conference: Disability from the perspective of cultural studies

"Inclusion, Integration, Differentiation" was the theme of the international congress organized by the Chair of Romanic Literatures and Cultures (Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartwig) in Passau. The focus was on disability as a topic in literature, cinema, and performing arts – a relatively unexplored research area that 18 scholars from six countries thoroughly explored in exchange.

In addition to research content, artistic contributions from practice were also part of the program on three evenings: The barrier-free theater Palmyra from Alcalá de Henares presented an excerpt from its latest Lope de Vega production and offered the audience the opportunity to experience a "Touch Tour" from the perspective of visually impaired individuals. The internationally renowned dance theater Danza Mobile from Seville delighted the audience with a dance premiere. Additionally, a founder of Teatro Paladio from Segovia showcased video excerpts from numerous projects and provided an overview of 20 years of inclusion work with cognitively impaired individuals.

The presentations showcased a wide range of fictional and documentary approaches to the inclusion of people with disabilities, coupled with passionate debates about fundamental concepts. "As a result, it can be noted that there is still much to be done to firmly establish the important concepts of inclusion, integration, and differentiation in international research and teaching, also from the perspective of cultural studies," concludes Susanne Hartwig.

The conference was supported by the German Research Foundation and the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports.

Principal Investigator(s) at the University	Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartwig (Lehrstuhl für Romanische Literaturen und Kulturen)
Project period	07.10.2019 - 08.10.2019
Source of funding	DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft