Center for self-determined
living for the disabled
Erlangen
Nothing about us,
without us.
What we offer
Personal assistance
Personal assistance enables people with disabilities to lead an independent life in their own chosen living environment and to shape their lives according to their own ideas. An assistant takes care of all care, household and individual tasks.
Consulting. Education. Encounter
We provide advice on all issues relating to disabilities - for example, authorities, forms, social benefits, aids, barriers, personal problems and assistance.
We offer educational opportunities and organize meetings where people with and without disabilities can come together, exchange ideas and enrich each other.
Supplementary independent
Participation counseling
The Participation counseling Middle Franconia Northeast offers free, independent and confidential support for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and their relatives.
Counseling is provided on an equal footing, by counselors who are themselves affected and, if necessary, by telephone, e-mail or at home.
The service is part of the nationwide EUTB project in accordance with Section 32 SGB IX.
from September 2026
School and individual support
The school support service helps children and young people with (potential) disabilities to participate independently in lessons and school life. They help in lessons and during breaks as required, promote participation and independence, work together with parents and the school and provide support with applications and cost coverage.
Current projects
Perspektivwechsel - Change of perspective
Our offer makes it possible to experience how people with disabilities or chronic illnesses live.
We promote understanding and empathy in workshops, lectures and self-awareness modules - for example with a wheelchair or blindfold.
We raise awareness of inclusion and accessibility in schools, companies and groups.
All offers are accompanied and individually designed by experts with and without disabilities.
Alles was Recht ist - Everything about the law
The project empowers people with disabilities to actively assert their rights.
We inform people with disabilities about new rights and encourage them to clearly state their own needs.
By raising awareness, we show cost bearers the reality of life for people with disabilities and promote an understanding of their legal challenges among lawyers.
Herzensmensch - Kindhearted
People with disabilities have the same needs for love, friendship, sexuality and family as everyone else. However, it is often more difficult to find contacts or a partnership outside of their own environment.
With Herzensmensch, we support people with disabilities in exercising their right to partnership, sexuality, family and friendship.
Completed projects
You can also discover our previous projects: Many have now been completed, but their impact remains. Take a look back and see how ZSL Erlangen has helped shape inclusion, self-determination and accessibility over the years.
Current events
Events
Reviews
What customers and employees say about us
Team Rudi Flaig:
„We are a team at one of ZSL's long-standing customers. Several of us have been working for ZSL for many years. Some of us also work here as a second job. Our day-to-day work is varied, with tasks such as care, housework, accompanying people to therapy and leisure activities. We experience great appreciation and a lot of trust from the customer. It is important that the interpersonal relationship is right, as we often spend many hours together. We work in a good team with competent team leaders.
We particularly appreciate the working time models offered by ZSL, as these fit in well with our personal life plans.“
Manfred Schumann - assistant to Rudi Flaig):
„For me, supporting my customers in organizing their everyday lives is an extremely meaningful activity. I've been with ZSL since 2012 because it represents self-determination as its overriding principle. In my job as a geriatric nurse, I experienced paternalism towards people in need of help more than enough, so I am glad that this is not the case here.“
Rudi Flaig - Customer:
„I'm Rudi Flaig, I've been with ZSL since 1998 and I have spasticity. I used to live in a care home. I didn't like it at all in the home and that's why a friend told me about ZSL. That's why I ended up at ZSL and the assistants make me feel very comfortable. Every assistant accepts me for who I am.“
Marie Sieger - customer and employee
„I'm Marie, 25 years old. I moved to Erlangen for my studies and have been living with assistance organized by the ZSL ever since. I have now completed my degree and am working on my doctoral thesis. The fact that this path was and is possible for me is largely thanks to organizations like the ZSL and the many dedicated and motivated assistants.
Assistance enables me to live and work independently and to organize my everyday life according to my needs. I don't take it for granted, but it is a key prerequisite for a self-determined life.
I am at ZSL because the focus here is on self-determination and at the same time a lot of organizational work is taken off my hands. The ZSL was set up and is run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities - you can feel that in everyday life. I particularly appreciate the wide range of assistance organization, advice, events and political work.
In addition to my role as a customer, I run training courses on topics such as the relationship between assistants and customers, self-determination and closeness and distance. I am also a member of the association council and contribute to the strategic development of ZSL.“
Ella Armstrong (assistant):
„Ella, 63 years young - I started working as an assistant for physically disabled people about 3 years ago, coming from a skilled trade (cook).
The move to ZSL was a heartfelt wish.
For me, my work is a give & take with heart & mind, as in any good relationship.“
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