DGRW: Science in and for rehabilitation

The DGRWs‘ self-conception is based on the constitutions‘ centrally listed purposes (§2 purpose and function):

• the promotion of research and teaching in the field of rehabilitation sciences and
• the dissemination and implementation of rehabilitation scientific findings in rehabilitative practice.

The DGRW

• aims with its work to an inclusive society, in which participation is promoted through rehabilitation
• unites persons as well as organizations and institutions who are committed to the rehabilitation siences
• works across professions and disciplines and promotes the cooperation of all who are scientifically active in or for rehabilitation
• cooperates with persons, organizations and institutions that support the above mentioned purposes of the DGRW
• commits itself to independent scientific knowledge and opinion, i.e. it respects its independence as well as political and ideological neutrality
• is dedicated to current social developments in their importance for rehabilitation and rehabilitation sciences
• takes into account international developments in rehabilitation science and the general conditions of rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation sciences in the sense of the DGRW

• include both basic research and applied research, which is usually interdisciplinary
• base their work on the bio-psycho-social model of health and disease, in particular the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model of the World Health Organization (WHO)
• take special account of the perspective of people with threatening or existing impairments in their various life situations
• take up challenges and questions of rehabilitation practice, promote the transfer of research results into practice and understand the interactive knowledge transfer between science and practice, also in terms of implementation research, as an important part of the subject.

Rehabilitation in the sense of the DGRW

• aims to promote the participation of people with threatened or existing impairments
• is a task for society as a whole and is a key principle of the health care system
• includes all benefits for participation as social law enshrined forms of rehabilitation as well as comparable benefits that are not lawfully codified as rehabilitation.

Members of the DGRW

• are scientifically qualified persons of different disciplines and professions involved in rehabilitation or who have made a special contribution to the field of rehabilitation science
• are scientifically active or contribute to the implementation of scientific findings in practice.

*This text is based on a draft of the board of the DGRW on 14.02.2019 at a closed meeting of the Initiative 2025 in Halle, modified on the basis of the discussion in the general meeting on 15.04.2019 in Berlin, adopted at the board meeting on 15.07.2019 in Berlin.