80 Years of Commitment to People with Disabilities: The KOBV – The Association for People with Disabilities in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland – celebrated its anniversary on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in the Volkshalle of the Vienna City Hall. Numerous guests from politics, business, and partner organizations attended the ceremony.

However, alongside the reflection on eight decades of advocacy, a critical message was also at the forefront: According to the association, people with disabilities continue to face obstacles and disadvantages. KOBV President Franz Groschan even spoke of setbacks in recent months.

The Volkshalle of the Vienna City Hall provided the setting for the anniversary event. The ceremony was moderated by para-swimmer Andreas Onea. The inclusive ensemble Ohrenklang provided the musical arrangement. DanceAbility Austria, under the direction of Vera Rosner, designed the opening and closing of the celebration.

Messages of greeting also came from federal politics. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal Minister Korinna Schumann, and SPÖ disability spokesperson Verena Nussbaum honored the work of the association in their messages.

KOBV President Franz Groschan referred to the symbolic significance of the venue in his opening speech. „The Volkshalle has always been a place of encounter, joint celebration, and participation,“ explained Groschan. These values have also shaped the work of the KOBV since its founding.

Despite the progress of recent decades, the association still sees significant need for action. According to President Groschan, the equal participation of people with disabilities in Austria is still not fully realized.

In recent months, there have even been setbacks, he criticized. However, the press release does not elaborate on which specific developments were meant.

„It would be nice if we were further along in this regard and inclusion was finally fully implemented,“ said Groschan in conversation with moderator Andreas Onea.

The KOBV will therefore continue to draw attention to the concerns of people with disabilities and advocate against discrimination, prejudice, and economic dependency.

A special focus of the anniversary celebration was on the work of the voluntary officials. They support people with disabilities in local groups, organize events, and represent their concerns at the community level. For Groschan, these people are a mainstay of the association.

„Without the volunteers, the KOBV would not exist in its current form,“ emphasized the president.

The ceremony was therefore intended not only to honor the history of the KOBV but also those people who have dedicated themselves to others over many years.

During the celebration, several long-serving officials were honored. Elfriede Schira, a member of the local group Deutsch-Wagram, received the Bronze Honorary Pin. Hermine Mühlwanger, chairwoman of the local group Aschbach, was awarded the Silver Association Badge.

Gerhard Mayer, chairman of the local group Puchberg am Schneeberg, was also honored. He was unable to attend in person due to health reasons. In a message read by Andreas Onea during the event, Mayer described his voluntary work as a „self-evident service.“

Personal experiences also found a place at the anniversary. KOBV President Franz Groschan shared how he came to the association after an amputation and why he himself is engaged in voluntary work.

„It’s just nice to help people and walk this path together,“ he explained.

Similar experiences were described by Petra Irschik, who holds several positions within the KOBV in Lower Austria, and Konrad Fritz. Fritz has been the chairman of the district working group Floridsdorf since 2018 and is therefore also directly involved in advocacy in Vienna. Both emphasized that voluntary work must be enjoyable and that a good community within the local groups is important.

The KOBV represents the interests of people with disabilities in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland.

Its work includes supporting those affected, advocacy, and organizing regional services and events.

According to the association, the anniversary made it clear that its tasks are not completed even eight decades after its founding.

Groschan announced that he would continue to advocate for a society where people with disabilities can live without discrimination and economic dependence.

The ceremony at the Vienna City Hall was thus both a tribute to the association’s history and a call for further progress in inclusion.

(Ed.)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article .