Dear residents of Wiesbaden,

On November 2, we will celebrate 20 years of Special Olympics Hessen in Frankfurt. These have been two decades in which many people have worked tirelessly and successfully to promote greater equal participation in sports and society for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities. For me, this commitment is a labor of love—which is why I am all the more delighted that the state capital, Wiesbaden, will host Special Olympics Hessen in the summer of 2029. I’d like to use this occasion to look back on what we’ve already achieved together in the area of inclusion and to look ahead to what still lies before us. 

Our world is still full of barriers that people without disabilities often fail to notice. As a city, we take this issue very seriously and have made it our mission to make Wiesbaden barrier-free—so that all citizens can feel fully included as part of the city’s community. It is our stated goal that all people, with their individual differences, can participate equally in social life in all areas of life. This begins, for example, with ensuring that public buildings are designed to be accessible from the very start. The Rheinhöhe Sports Park, whose topping-out ceremony we recently celebrated, is one of the most recent projects being implemented as fully accessible. With an indoor swimming pool, sauna area, and ice rink, we are creating a versatile space for sports, recreation, and leisure where everyone can come together.

To give the topic of inclusion a more prominent place in city government and society, the city created the position of municipal inclusion officer in 2023. Andrea Hausy, our Inclusion Officer, coordinates collaboration between the city administration and the many different clubs and associations that advocate for greater inclusion in our city. She is advised by the Expert Council, consisting of 20 members with various disabilities. In addition, there is the Inclusion and Accessibility Working Group—an alliance of over 35 organizations and self-help groups. It serves as a point of contact for both citizens and city policymakers and advocates for the autonomous participation of all people. 

The “Quiet Hour” is a wonderful initiative that we were able to implement together with a broad network. Wiesbaden is the first German city to offer a low-stimulus shopping experience on this scale at specific times. During these hours, participating stores—as well as restaurants and other establishments—reduce acoustic and visual stimuli to make the experience noticeably more pleasant for people with invisible disabilities such as anxiety disorders, depression, autism, and ADHD. Since July 2025, the network has grown steadily; the Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme and the Reinhard Ernst Museum are now also partners. The “Quiet Hour” has been very well received everywhere, including by people without specific sensory needs and by the staff of the participating establishments.

The inclusive art project “Touched by Art” is another example of how a good idea and a motivated network can lead to something truly remarkable. A total of ten tandems, consisting of artists with and without disabilities, have collaborated to create works that demonstrate the contribution art can make to an inclusive urban society and to cultural participation. The auction of the artworks raised approximately 100,000 euros, all of which will go toward continuing the nonprofit project.

In addition to these flagship projects, inclusion takes place every day on a smaller scale and in many areas. For example, by providing information in simple language or sign language, or through our downtown map, which highlights accessible restaurants and hotels as well as wheelchair-accessible public restrooms in the Historic Pentagon. Furthermore, the needs of people with disabilities are increasingly being taken into account during the renovation of intersections or the redesign of playgrounds.

Wiesbaden is on the right track, yet there is still much to be done. I would be delighted if, in 2029, as the host city of the Special Olympics Hessen, we could present ourselves as an even more inclusive city that promotes the participation of people with disabilities in an ever-wider range of areas of public life. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those in Wiesbaden who are working to promote greater inclusion and participation—and, more broadly, who are committed to supporting their fellow citizens. Your dedication is what makes our city a wonderful and beloved place to live. 

Sincerely,

Gert-Uwe Mende
Lord Mayor