APW balance/success 2025 + budget 2026
14/04/2026
APW transparently publishes its 2024 annual report and 2025 budget. The key figures offer an overview of the current financial situation and upcoming priorities.
«Kids, how time flies!»
Actually, I had thought of a different sentence to introduce this newsletter, but when I wanted to save it, I realized that I've been responsible for this newsletter for 10 (in words: ten!) years this year. It's time to sincerely thank you for your attention and for the feedback I've received. It still brings me joy, and I sincerely hope a little of that «spills over» when you read it.
With heartfelt greetings
Brigitte Pastewka
Now, let's get to the point:
As always, the board and administration are hard at work. The annual planning is underway. New events are continuously published in the calendar. So, check the website from time to time!
New starting this year: There are two webinars on current topics related to the Affolter Model.®. For members and employees of collective members, these are free. The first Webinar with the theme «The Affolter Model® and animal-assisted therapy» takes place on 19.02.2026 instead.
For more information, see here
Also, in the spring and fall, there are two Online evenings on social security law topics planned. The dates are not yet set, so keep checking the website! 😊
How about a visit to Basel again sometime?
I'm April 25 takes place in REHAB Basel the General Assembly of the APW instead. Members will receive more detailed information in due course, as usual.
For the continuing education, which is also open to external interested parties, we were able to win over Prof. Ursula Costa from the FH Gesundheit in Innsbruck. We want to delve deeper into questions about efficacy research with her. We will offer the GV continuing education in a hybrid format. This way, people living further away can also benefit.
And again, dedicated members have come forward who «Affolter Day» organize (Thank you very much in advance!). This year's will be held on November 7 in Winterthur instead. The flyer is on the website under the Agenda to find.
In addition to social security law topics, APW has two exciting new offers for relatives in its program again:
Parenting Courses
«Autism Spectrum Disorder / What does that mean for my child»
and
«Autism in Family Life: Communicate Clearly - Reduce Stress - Shape Daily Life.
Both courses are listed on our website at the following link:
https://apwschweiz.ch/kursangebote/
And now for a discussion that has accompanied me throughout my professional life since my university days: Are the clients I deal with professionally people with a «disorder,» an «impairment,» or a «disability»?
This «hair-splitting» may seem trivial at first glance, but language creates internal images, and there's a difference between thinking someone is «disturbed» or is or will be «disabled.» So it's no wonder that each generation revisits this discussion and, in doing so, reflects the societal situation to some extent.
The APW is also participating in this discussion. We would like to with a Survey find out if the Perception disorder« what fits or what would be fitting instead. Everyone can participate in the survey… we also welcome the opinion of those affected.
The survey will only take a few minutes. Please complete it by February 17th.
Scan QR code or via the link:
When was the last time you were on the website? 😊 www.apwschweiz.ch
Recently? Then you've surely noticed that there's always something new to discover in the agenda and the shop.
are unfortunately not yet finished Translations into English and French. But we are working on it.
Sometimes I'm proud of my adopted hometown. On the «Path of Diversity» can recently be found under the Section «Women, Sexism» one Entry to Félicie Affolter (Direct link to entry).
Your career path is exemplary not only in professional terms but also in emancipatory terms. It's wonderful that it is already mentioned in the recently conceived path.
And sometimes I'm «crazy mad» about my adopted canton. The cantonal parliament of the canton of St. Gallen, in its last session, decided to cut funds for the care of the elderly and adults with disabilities by 7.5 million francs until 2028. They have to save money after taxes were lowered for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
Pro Infirmis asks how people with chronic illnesses and disabilities are doing throughout Switzerland. To this end, the organization is conducting a Survey on the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Switzerland The goal is to capture the experiences of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses in Switzerland in various areas of life and to understand how well they feel included (or excluded) in society. The results will be incorporated into an «Inclusion Index.» Inclusion Index 2023 captured.
«To ensure a representative sample for all of Switzerland this time as well, we are proceeding in several survey phases. We are currently in the «open» survey phase. and to reach as many people with disabilities or chronic illnesses as possible - including those outside the Pro Infirmis register - and to invite them to participate in the survey.»
Join in! The better lobbying organizations are informed, the more they can defend themselves against negative developments (see above).
The survey can be participated in until February 14, 2026.
The survey will take at least 20 minutes.
All information will be treated with the strictest confidence and anonymized for evaluation.
Another way to get involved, at least for some of those affected, is membership in InVIEdual. More at: www.inviedual.ch/
After Parliament decided on the financial participation of the disability insurance (IV) in intensive early intervention (IFI) for children with severe autism spectrum disorders, the Federal Council has opened the consultation on the implementing provisions. Inclusion-Disability takes the following position: Statement from Inclusion Handicap of October 3, 2025
The association hiki – Help for Brain-Injured Children has a new updated leaflet with an overview of its Consulting services released. Please contact us if needed anbaro.abdiwahid@hiki.ch
or you can take a look at the website: www.hiki.ch.
«Every child has a right to education – that is what the law states. Just 50 years ago in Austria, almost a third of severely disabled children were stamped „exempt from school“ and thus excluded from access to education. We resisted this: We laid the foundations for a school for everyone – including very severely disabled students – wrote curricula, and trained and educated teachers. But what does the situation look like today?» This question – not just with regard to Austria – is addressed in the latest issue of Magazine People. It's worth taking a look. https://www.zeitschriftmenschen.at/content/view/full/127053
In many legal areas, changes have come into effect again in Germany as of January 1, 2026. This particularly affects long-term care insurance: among other things, long-term care benefits will now continue to be paid for 8 weeks instead of the previous 4 weeks during hospital stays for those in need of care. Child benefit and the child allowance have also been increased. The flat-rate expense allowance for legal guardians has also risen to 450 euros. The bvkm has important Updates for people with disabilities and their loved ones summarized:
https://bvkm.de/ratgeber/rechtsaenderungen/
From Augmentative and Alternative Communication to moving out of the parental home: The Federal Association for People with Physical and Multiple Disabilities offers a wealth of events and information. You can find more details here: https://bvkm.de/angebote/
Let's stay in touch!
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APW transparently publishes its 2024 annual report and 2025 budget. The key figures offer an overview of the current financial situation and upcoming priorities.
The APW transparently publishes its balance sheet and income statement for 2024, as well as the budget for 2025. This gives members and interested parties insight into the use of funds and planning.