The experience of external decision-making is all too familiar to the founder and president of the Tatkraft association. Islam Alijaj is from Zurich and has lived with cerebral palsy since birth, which has left him with physical and verbal disabilities. His ability to develop ideas, network and get involved in projects is in no way limited by this. He is married, a family man, an inclusion politician, a disability lobbyist and much more besides. In 2023, Islam made history and was elected as a Member of the Swiss Parliament. Thanks to his excellent network, he was able to put together a great team to support him in the election campaign. With this assistance pool, Islam has managed to equalise his disability and not let it hinder the realisation of his project. And in 2024, the initiative for inclusion, initiated by him, could be submitted to the Federal Chancellery with over 100’000 signatures. The initiative aims to write the rights of people with disabilities into the constitution. By the end of 2024, the Federal Council announced to be positive about the initiative, working on a own proposal and a new law/bill for more inclusion. Another historic win.

Islam wants to share his positive experiences with other people affected and fight for them. He decided to found the Tatkraft association so that other people with disabilities can also realize their ideas and goals with the help they need. Tatkraft was founded in 2018 by people with disabilities who also manage their everyday lives with disabilities and are a very active part of society. They are all too familiar with the challenges and barriers that other people with disabilities have to deal with. Based on their own experiences, they are able to judge where participation is difficult and what steps can be taken to motivate PWD to realise their self-representation and make things happen.