Creative integration

His dream was to be an architect. "I'm dangerously close to it with graphics," says Markus Wegmann from behind his oxygen tube with a little mischief in his voice. His Duchenne disease only became an issue when he was at school, so he was even able to complete secondary school without any major problems. The course was set at 17. Today he is the longest-serving member of the creative workshop. He has been working as a designer for web pages and print products since 1999. Markus Wegmann is currently working on the new website for the umbrella organization for social schools. "Seven public pages as well as an internal area where members can log in," explains Wegmann, while he operates the mouse using a special device on his Easy Rider wheelchair. Above all, the designer loves the variety of this work. "The job for the association ranged from designing the logo and stationery to creating the website. I like being able to see a job through from A to Z."

The "création handicap" workshop at the Mathilde-Escher-Heim in Zurich offers people with physical disabilities a creative and challenging field of activity at around 40 workstations. An adapted infrastructure with computer workstations and professional graphics programs from the Adobe range, such as InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop, is available. A large proportion of stationery products such as greeting cards, greeting cards, notebooks and bookmarks are produced. These can be purchased directly in the workshop or in the company's own online store. The management team is also constantly striving to acquire new orders for customized printed materials such as stationery, business cards, flyers, invitations and personalized birth cards or wedding announcements. One of the specialties on offer is that cards are individually designed piece by piece, even for larger series. The workshop is also interested in services such as smaller mailing orders or database entries. The design and realization of websites as well as their maintenance and updating is becoming increasingly important.

The workshop at MEH is run by Lukas Fischer. He is a qualified social pedagogue, learning coach and adult educator. He is also responsible for training the people in his care and other employees. "Some jobs can't be described very well, which is why I worked for a long time without a job description, which now exists," says Rebecca Oeschger. As a basis for her versatile support as team leader, Oeschger has a graphic design qualification and further training in social work. Yvonne Schümperli is also a trained graphic designer and previously worked in an advertising agency. At "création handicap", in addition to her socio-educational work as team leader, she is also responsible for customer care and acquiring new orders. Schümperli is happy to draw on her experience in marketing for this. But one thing is clear to her: "My new job here is much more rewarding than it used to be at the agency." There is a great sense of humor in the workshop. "This has to do with creativity, among other things. Situational comedy helps us all move forward. But people don't always laugh, sometimes the humor gets lost. Be it because someone is in hospital for a long time or dies young. But I learn a lot - physically disabled or not. Strokes of fate. Every day is accepted - just as it presents itself." In her wheelchair, Yvonne Luginbühl also always appreciates the life-affirming atmosphere in the workshop, which motivates her to start work at 8.30 am. "I can feel the team spirit when the whole crew stamps cards. We all want to achieve something."

Thomas Achermann was formerly a graphic designer at the Tages-Anzeiger editorial office. In the workshop since November 2010. After a serious accident, he struggled to find his way back into working life. "I was glad that I was able to gain a foothold at MEH." He is currently responsible for the graphic design of a blog.

Yvonne Hinder has spastic paraplegia, which impairs her walking and balance. In the workshop, she looks after the telephone and the small kiosk for direct sales. Firdes Atmaca has been dependent on an electric wheelchair for almost two years. Since then, designing her own cards has been her favorite job, as it allows her to let her imagination run wild. It also gives her a boost of morale when she has created something beautiful. "It also makes me feel better health-wise." Firdes is always surfing the internet to find new card designs. This is how she came up with the idea for a series of cards featuring Swiss customs, for example. The work for such projects is distributed at regular meetings to the people who are best suited to a particular job. The creative people in the sheltered workshop work part-time or full-time, depending on their physical capabilities. Remuneration is based on the guidelines of the Canton of Zurich Social Welfare Office. Most of the employees live in individual groups that are as independent as possible in the home, which is directly connected to the building. They also receive the care they need there. However, the graphic workshop is also open to externally organized disabled people.

création handicap" is part of the Mathilde Escher Home. This is the only institution in Switzerland that specializes in the care of people with a progressive muscle disease. However, people with other physical disabilities who require similar care and support are also admitted.

Andreas Panzeri