What Living with Disabilities Hamburg does

Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg (LMBHH) is a Hamburg-based non-profit organization, founded in 1956 as the Hamburger Spastikerverein and rebranded to its current name in 1996. It operates through a dual-entity structure: the Elternverein e.V. parents' association (1,500 member families) provides advocacy and self-help, while the Sozialeinrichtungen Gemeinnützige GmbH directly delivers services to 1,500 people with disabilities across housing (Wohngemeinschaften, Hausgemeinschaften, independent apartments, Wohnschule), work (Tagesstätten, Feinwerk vocational education, Auf Achse supported employment, In Betrieb), education (adult courses), family support (counseling, vacation trips, after-school care), and leisure/cultural participation (Stadttreiben, Hamburger Kulturschlüssel, Theater Eisenhans). The organization employs approximately 1,100 paid staff plus 451 Jobservice workers and engages over 1,000 volunteers.

Its core proprietary technology is the 'Mein Kompass' person-centered support planning system, introduced in 2018 and codified in a Kohlhammer Verlag academic publication in February 2024, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Adjacent technology assets include the in-house Techniklabor (developing Licht-Uhr, NFC-MP3 player, Radiotalker), the Mein Klick digital participation project (Aktion Mensch-funded through September 2025, integrating kliGG survey software), and the Persönliche Zukunftsplanung/Wunschwege methodology. The organization also maintains four wholly-owned charitable foundations (Christien-Vorrath-Stiftung 1988, Stiftung St. Elisabeth 1995, Hamburger Gemeinschaftsstiftung 2001, Edgar und Ilse Engelhard Stiftung 2017) with combined endowment capital of approximately €1.8 million.

The business model is entirely publicly funded through German social law: SGB IX (Rehabilitation and Participation), SGB XI (Long-term Care Insurance), and SGB XII (Social Assistance). Revenue is generated via cost-unit reimbursement from Eingliederungshilfe, health insurance funds, and other statutory insurers, with a framework agreement covering 2024-2028. Clients do not pay directly for core services. Supplementary revenue comes from membership dues (1,500 families), charitable donations managed through the Hamburger Gemeinschaftsstiftung, and foundation endowment returns. The organization operates exclusively within Hamburg and is governed by a dual leadership structure (Ralph Grevel and Christine Siems as Geschäftsführer of the Sozialeinrichtungen GmbH; Christian Lührs as Vorsitzender of the Elternverein Vorstand; Gerrit Driessen as Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender).

Name

Living with Disabilities Hamburg

Legal name

Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg Sozialeinrichtungen Gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://lmbhh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg is a Hamburg-based non-profit (founded 1956) providing comprehensive disability support services across housing, work, education, family, leisure, and culture for 1,500 clients, with 1,100+ staff and 1,500 member families, funded primarily through German public social law.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Social Services

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Supported housing services
• Vocational rehabilitation programs
• Social care services
• Community inclusion programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Socialgesetzbuch): The vast majority of funding comes from public sources — government social services funding under German Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch), particularly SGB IX (Rehabilitation and Participation), SGB XI (Long-term Care Insurance), and SGB XII (Social Assistance). Services are funded through cost units (Kostenträger) including Eingliederungshilfe and health insurance funds.
2. Membership Dues and Donations: The Elternverein generates revenue through membership dues from 1,500 member families and charitable donations. Donations are managed through the Hamburger Gemeinschaftsstiftung and a dedicated donations page on derelternverein.de.
3. Stiftung / Endowment Income: The Hamburger Gemeinschaftsstiftung für behinderte Menschen (founded 2001) manages an endowment capital stock of approximately €1.8 million. Annual returns fund discretionary wishes and urgent needs of people with disabilities and their families. Additional income comes from estates and bequests.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg is a Hamburg-based non-profit social services organization that delivers comprehensive disability support across the full lifecycle — including supported housing (Wohngemeinschaften, Hausgemeinschaften, independent apartments), vocational education and supported employment (Feinwerk, Auf Achse, Tagesstätten), family counseling and child/youth programs (Horte, Ferienreisen, Persönliche Zukunftsplanung), inclusive leisure and cultural participation (Stadttreiben, Hamburger Kulturschlüssel, Theaterprojekt Eisenhans), and social-psychiatric ambulatory services. The organization pairs direct service delivery (Sozialeinrichtungen gGmbH) with a 1,500-family advocacy parents' association (Elternverein e.V.) and funds operations primarily through German Social Code (SGB IX/XI/XII) public payers.

Product overview

Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg is a social services organization (not a traditional software product company) providing comprehensive disability support services across Hamburg. The organization operates multiple interconnected services including Wohnen (housing with Wohngemeinschaften and Hausgemeinschaften), Arbeit (day centers, Feinwerk vocational training, Auf Achse work participation), Kinder und Familie (family counseling, vacation trips, Horte, youth groups), Freizeit (Stadttreiben, Hamburger Kulturschlüssel cultural access, theater projects), and Beratung (family and offer counseling). Key programmatic approaches include Mein Kompass (person-centered support planning framework since 2018) and Zukunftsplanung/Wunschwege (personal future planning). Digital inclusion initiatives include the Mein Klick project and Techniklabor developing assistive technologies like Licht-Plan and Mitmischer. The organization also operates complaint management, a whistleblower system, and the Hamburger Gemeinschaftsstiftung for financial support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mein Kompass: Person-centered support planning system developed by the organization to help people with disabilities plan their lives and achieve goals.
• Feinwerk
• Auf Achse
• Hamburger Kulturschlüssel
• Mein Klick
• Techniklabor
• Wunschwege

Products and services

• Mein Kompass Person-centered support planning system that helps clients develop their own goals and plan measures with staff support. Functions as the foundational methodology for individualized assistance across the organization's services.
• Zukunftsplanung (Wunschwege) Personal future planning service for people with disabilities that uses creative, often visual methods to enable individuals with high support needs to define and pursue personal goals, guided by a facilitator together with friends, family, and staff.
• Feinwerk Two-year vocational education and occupational orientation program for people with severe disabilities in day centers (Tagesstätten), enabling participants to explore different work areas and transition to appropriate employment.
• Auf Achse Supported-employment program that places people with high support needs into work opportunities outside of day centers in cooperation with partner companies, churches, and social organizations across the general labor market.
• Supported Housing (Wohngemeinschaften, Hausgemeinschaften, independent apartments) Housing services for adults with disabilities, including shared living apartments (Wohngemeinschaften), community houses (Hausgemeinschaften), and supported independent apartments across Hamburg neighborhoods including Schanzenviertel, Barmbek, HafenCity, St. Georg and others.
• Tagesstätten (Day Centers) Day-service centers for people with disabilities providing daily structure, occupational activities, and the entry point for Feinwerk vocational education. Operated across Hamburg districts including Rotherbaum (Ilse Wilms) and Bergedorf (Randersweide).
• Wohnschule (Independent Living School) Training program that teaches people with disabilities the independent living skills they need in order to move from supported housing into their own apartments.
• Ambulante Sozialpsychiatrie & Wohnassistenz Ambulatory social-psychiatric services and housing assistance (Wohnassistenz) for adults with psychosocial support needs, plus qualified personal assistance (Qualifizierte persönliche Assistenz).
• Kinder und Familie (Family support, Horte, Ferienreisen, youth groups) Family support services for families with disabled children including in-family support, vacation trips, after-school care (Horte), children's and youth groups, and information events.
• Beratung (Familien-Beratung, Angebotsberatung, Elternverein Beratung) Counseling services covering family support, housing and work options, guardianship law, and ombudsman support for Eingliederungshilfe recipients, delivered through the Betreuungsverein, the Elternverein, and the Ombuds-Stelle.
• Freizeitprogramme (Stadttreiben, Bitte Lächeln!, Theaterprojekt Eisenhans, Literaturwerkstatt, Theater 36) Inclusive leisure and cultural participation programs including city outings (Stadttreiben), photography (Bitte Lächeln!), inclusive theater (Theaterprojekt Eisenhans since 1993 with Thalia Treffpunkt), literature workshop (Literaturwerkstatt Tolle Worte), and Theater 36.
• Hamburger Kulturschlüssel Cultural-access program that provides volunteer accompaniment for people with disabilities, seniors, and people with migration backgrounds to attend theaters, museums, and cinemas in Hamburg.
• Bildung für Erwachsene (Adult Education) Adult education courses for people with disabilities, including the 'Politik machen' civic-engagement course.
• Treffpunkte (community meeting points across Hamburg districts) Community meeting points (Treffpunkte) located across Hamburg districts (Bergedorf, Harburg, Mitte/Altona, Wandsbek) that serve as local hubs for people with disabilities and their families.
• Mein Klick – Digitale Teilhabe Digital-participation project developing custom tablet-based tools (Licht-Plan visual schedule, Mitmischer non-verbal communication) and integrating kliGG survey software so people with high support needs can use technology and participate in digital decision-making.
• Techniklabor In-house technology laboratory that co-develops digital assistive solutions (Licht-Uhr, NFC-MP3 player, Radiotalker) together with clients, staff, and relatives.
• Beschwerdemanagement (Complaints Management) Complaints management office (Beschwerdestelle) that handles concerns from clients, parents, relatives, and legal guardians about service quality.
• Hamburger Gemeinschaftsstiftung für behinderte Menschen Charitable community foundation established in 2001 with an endowment capital stock of approximately €1.8 million that provides financial grants for people with disabilities and their families (e.g. contributions toward vacation trips).

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500 Menschen werden in den Bereichen Arbeit, Wohnen, Bildung, Freizeit und Kultur von Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg Sozialeinrichtungen unterstützt.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bündnis starker Sozialstaat HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg (both Sozialeinrichtungen and Elternverein) joined the 'Bündnis starker Sozialstaat Hamburg' in June 2026. This coalition brings together key actors of Hamburg civil society to advocate for a strong social state as the foundation of a diverse and just society, in response to federal government austerity proposals affecting disability services, long-term care, and assistive device provision.
• Rumänienhilfe der Evangelischen Stiftung AlsterdorfminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2012Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg has partnered with Rumänienhilfe der Evangelischen Stiftung Alsterdorf since November 2012 through a formal cooperation agreement. The partnership involves mutual exchanges, professional concept sharing, joint hospitations, and regular inclusive educational trips. Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg supports the Rumänienhilfe with professional disability care concepts and collaborative learning visits.
• Thalia Treffpunkt (Thalia Theater)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1993, Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg has partnered with the Thalia Treffpunkt to run the inclusive theater project 'Eisenhans'. The project provides a platform for disabled performers and has been supported by the 'Freundeskreis Eisenhans'. The project has produced the 'GoldenHans' award for disabled performers.
• Hamburger Kulturschlüssel partners (theaters, museums, cinemas)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Hamburger Kulturschlüssel is a program that provides volunteer accompaniment for people with disabilities to cultural events. It partners with Hamburg theaters, museums, and cinemas to enable access. The program was launched in August 2009 with the support of Federal Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
• Stiftung AlsterdorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeben mit Behinderung Hamburg, Stiftung Alsterdorf, and BHH Sozialkontor have launched a 'Gemeinsame Initiative' (joint initiative) for collaboration in Hamburg's disability services sector.
• Kohlhammer VerlagminorOthersPublished 'Teilhabe ermöglichen - Kompass für die Soziale Arbeit' in February 2024, a book about the Mein Kompass person-centered planning system co-authored by Professor Anja Teubert and Martin Rösner.
• Fachtag Digitale Teilhabe 2025 — Trägerübergreifendes NetzwerkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe May 2025 Fachtag Digitale Teilhabe was organized by a cross-provider network including: Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg Sozialeinrichtungen, Leben mit Behinderung Hamburg Elternverein, Evangelische Stiftung Alsterdorf, Alsterdorf Assistenz Ost, Alsterdorf Assistenz West, Sozialkontor, Barrierefrei Leben, Hamburger Arbeitsassistenz, and Das Rauhe Haus.
• Universität OldenburgminorOthersThe organization references an evaluation by Universität Oldenburg on Hamburg school assistance (Schulbegleitung) that described the Hamburg model as too opaque for parents. The Elternverein has pointed to this evaluation in its advocacy work regarding school assistance funding cuts.
• gut gefragt gGmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeben mit Behinderung Hamburg Sozialeinrichtungen gGmbH holds a 12.2% stake in gut gefragt gGmbH, a social enterprise that develops the kliGG survey tool used in the Mein Klick project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BHH Sozialkontor: Hamburg-based social services organization offering comparable disability housing, assisted employment, day services, and family support. Listed as a co-organizer of the Fachtag Digitale Teilhabe, indicating it competes for the same public contracts and client base in the same Hamburg geography.
• Evangelische Stiftung Alsterdorf: One of Hamburg's largest disability and social services providers, operating housing, work, education, and family support programs comparable to LMBHH's portfolio. Partner in the joint 'Gemeinsame Initiative' and co-organizer of the Fachtag Digitale Teilhabe, indicating direct overlap in service lines and target population.
• Lebenshilfe Hamburg: Hamburg chapter of Germany's largest disability advocacy and service organization, providing housing, education, family counseling, and Werkstätten services that overlap heavily with LMBHH's portfolio and compete for the same parents' association memberships and public funding.
• Das Rauhe Haus: Hamburg-based social services organization providing disability, youth, and family support programs comparable to LMBHH's Kinder und Familie and supported housing offerings. Listed as a co-organizer of the Fachtag Digitale Teilhabe, confirming shared service lines and catchment area.
• Elbe-Werkstätten: Hamburg provider of Werkstätten (sheltered workshops), vocational training, and supported employment for people with disabilities — directly overlapping with LMBHH's Feinwerk and Auf Achse programs and competing for the same Eingliederungshilfe and Arbeitsagentur contracts.

Others

• Aktion Mensch: Germany's largest private funder of disability inclusion projects, currently funding LMBHH's Mein Klick digital participation initiative through September 2025. Not a competitor but a critical funder, ecosystem convener, and policy advocate that shapes the broader disability services funding landscape.

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Hamburg: Hamburg branch of Germany's largest Protestant social welfare umbrella, offering a much broader portfolio that includes disability services, elderly care, youth services, and refugee support. Overlaps with LMBHH on disability housing and family services but does not specialize in the disability niche.
• Caritas Hamburg: Hamburg branch of Germany's largest Catholic welfare umbrella, providing broad social services including disability support, family counseling, and elderly care. Comparable on funding sources (SGB) and geography but covers a much wider service portfolio than LMBHH.

Regional players

• Stiftung ICP München: Munich-based comparable provider offering residential, work, education, and therapeutic services for people with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities. Operates a similar lifecycle services model but in Bavaria, not Hamburg, so it is comparable on service mix but not a direct local competitor.
• Björn Schulz Stiftung: Berlin-based provider of residential homes, family support, and palliative care for people with severe disabilities, offering comparable residential and family service models to LMBHH but operating in a different Länder geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LMBHHTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/LebenmitBehinderungHH
• Instagraminstagram.com/lmbhh_wasmitmenschen
• Xx.com/lmb_hh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Living with Disabilities Hamburg