During the last ten years of the Deutsche Vereinigung has made especially important socio-political topics - which are presented in detail in this article - the subjects of its congresses and working conferences. In particular, through the re-organisation of its council the Deutsche Vereinigung has provided the organisations for the disabled, the social security agencies, the representatives of the facilities and the occupational groups a forum for expert's discussions. Today's problems of a restricted number of vocational training places and the structural changes of the labour market have most afflicted the disabled. A solution can only be found within the framework of overall societal considerations which should take into account the question of the possibilities and limits of rationalisation and, in accordance with foreign models, the extension of the special labour market for the disabled. Integration and participation also means involvement in the gross national product.