Joachim Busch died on 20 September in his hometown of Lübeck, after a short, serious illness. He was 67.
Joachim was a self-advocate, and an activist for the rights of people with disabilities. He worked for inclusion with all his strength, and his message was always clear: Inclusion should be normal.
Speaking up at home
In Germany, Joachim spoke up wherever he could.
For many years, he was a member of the self-advocacy group “Jetzt reden wir” (“Now we’re talking”) of Lebenshilfe Schleswig-Holstein.
He sat on the board of the Federal Association of Lebenshilfe, and on the German government’s Inclusion Advisory Board.
He also gave his time as a volunteer with the DLRG, the German lifesaving association, and in his allotment garden association.
Joachim believed that disability is something society puts on people. And because society puts it there, society can change it.
Speaking up for Europe and the world
Working internationally mattered a lot to Joachim.
When Germany was reviewed by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Joachim went to Geneva to speak for civil society.
He came to Brussels many times for the European Day of Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of the German Disability Council.
He spoke at congresses of Inclusion International and Inclusion Europe. He took part in many self-advocacy meetings with Inclusion Europe and the European Platform of Self-Advocates.
Making history
In May this year, Joachim made history. He and Soufiane El Amrani became the first people with intellectual disabilities ever elected to the Board of the European Disability Forum.
“I am happy that I got elected and that I can contribute with my experience to the EDF Board,” he said.
He had only just begun that work. It is very hard to accept that he will not be able to continue it.
Condolences
Lázsló Bercse, Chair of EPSA and Vice-President of Inclusion Europe said:
“I was very sad to hear that Joachim Busch has passed away.
Joachim did a lot for self-advocacy in Germany and also for self-advocacy in Europe.
I worked a lot with Joachim, and I learned many useful things from him.
The last time I met him in person was at the World Congress in 2025.
There, I heard him say a very good sentence about support:
“Good support is like a good jacket. Everyone needs the amount of support that fits them personally.”
We will all miss Joachim’s knowledge and experience.
A wonderful person with a lot of experience has left us.
We will all miss him very much.
Rest in peace, Joachim.”
Jeanne Nicklas-Faust, President of Inclusion Europe, said:
“Joachim was more than 25 years active as self-advocate and very powerful in his international acticities. I very much enjoyed his input in conferences, for example at the World Congress in 2025 where he shared his experience of speaking at the CRPD Committee.
I liked him as a very nice person and admired him for his witty inputs.
We will deeply miss him and honour his memory.”
Ulla Schmidt, President of Lebenshilfe said:
“It was impressive how clear and self-confident he was at the international level and how he campaigned for an inclusive society.
He was also an excellent example of political participation and the effectiveness of self-advocacy.”
Gunta Anca, President of the European Disability Forum, said:
“Joachim will always be remembered as a kind, committed colleague, and a very important part of our community. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at Lebenshilfe, the German Disability Council and Inclusion Europe.”
Legacy
Joachim helped open doors that had been closed to people with intellectual disabilities for a long time.
Besides being a great self-advocate and activist, Joachim was also a very kind person.
Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and everyone at Lebenshilfe and the German Disability Council.
Thank you, Joachim. We will miss you.