Zentrum Selbstbestimmt Leben

What Zentrum Selbstbestimmt Leben does

Zentrum Selbstbestimmt Leben (ZsL) Stuttgart e.V., legally known as ABS – Zentrum selbstbestimmt Leben e.V., is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered at Reinsburgstr. 56, 70178 Stuttgart, Germany. The organization emerged in 2004 from its predecessor Aktive Behinderte Stuttgart e.V. (ABS), founded in 1972, and has operated for over 50 years as a self-advocacy body for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses in Stuttgart and Baden-Württemberg. It runs a peer-led counseling model in which advisors with lived disability experience deliver free services (Beratung auf Augenhöhe) under the federally mandated EUTB (Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung) program established under §32 SGB IX and funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

ZsL's core products and services are non-technological in nature. They include free peer counseling on disability rights, rehabilitation, and participation; the EUTB supplementary independent participation counseling; the Job Speed Dating employment matchmaking format (8-minute structured interviews connecting job seekers with disabilities to employers); the annual Goldener Rollstuhl (Golden Wheelchair) award at the CMT tourism fair since 1993; accessible tourism consulting; and ancillary distribution services (Euro WC-Keys, wheelchair trailer hitch sales, accessible minibus rental). There are no proprietary software, SaaS, AI, or hardware products; the only technology footprint is a publicly accessible website with Eye-Able accessibility software integrated.

The business model is nonprofit and grant-funded, not commercial. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. Revenue streams comprise membership fees, donations, project grants (e.g., Aktion Mensch funding for Job Speed Dating), and federal EUTB/BMAS funding as one of approximately 500 authorized EUTB centers nationwide. The go-to-market is community-led rather than sales-driven: outreach occurs through the ISL e.V. national network, the CMT and REHAB trade fairs, the Feuerfest community festival, and editorial coverage by kobinet-nachrichten. As of May 2026 the organization is led by a new chairman (Ante Karacic) following the passing of long-serving chairman Friedrich Müller, with two additional full-time staff hired to support the ZsL team and the EUTB project.

Name

Zentrum Selbstbestimmt Leben

Legal name

ABS – Zentrum selbstbestimmt Leben e.V.

Website

https://zsl-stuttgart.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zentrum Selbstbestimmt Leben (ZsL) Stuttgart e.V. is a Stuttgart-based nonprofit (founded 1972 as ABS) that provides free, peer-led disability counseling under the federally mandated EUTB program, alongside accessible tourism consulting, the Goldener Rollstuhl award, and Job Speed Dating employment events for people with disabilities in Baden-Württemberg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Peer Counseling Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Help Supply Services (7363)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYEDAKANAM

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Transition Services (Post-Secondary, Employment & Independent Living)

SECONDARYEDALAGAB

Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Disability Services & Accessibility

Keywords

• Disability peer counseling
• Participation advisory services
• Accessible tourism consulting
• Disability employment support
• Nonprofit advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees and donations: The association is funded through voluntary membership fees from its members and donations from supporters. Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries.
2. Project grants and public funding: Specific projects receive grant funding, such as the Job Speed Dating initiative which was funded by Aktion Mensch. The EUTB counseling program operates under federal mandate with government support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ZsL Stuttgart provides free peer-based disability counseling, federally mandated EUTB participation advisory services, Job Speed Dating employment matchmaking events, and accessible tourism consulting including the annual Goldener Rollstuhl award. The organization is run by and for people with disabilities, delivering advocacy and inclusion services from its Stuttgart office.

Product overview

Zentrum Selbstbestimmt Leben (ZsL) Stuttgart is a non-profit disability advocacy organization offering peer-based counseling services. The core offerings include Peer-Beratung (peer counseling) and EUTB (Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung) for rehabilitation and participation guidance. Additional services include Job Speed Dating for employment support, accessible tourism consulting including the annual Goldener Rollstuhl award ceremony, and practical accessibility products such as the Euro WC-Schlüssel, the Arnie wheelchair trailer hitch, and wheelchair-accessible bus rental. The organization functions as a consulting and advisory service rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Peer-Beratung (Peer Counseling) Free, confidential consultation service provided by people with disabilities for people with disabilities, offering independent advice on participation and self-determination issues.
• EUTB - Ergänzende unabhängige Teilhabeberatung Supplementary independent participation counseling supported by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS), advising on rehabilitation and participation benefits, empowerment, and self-determined decision-making.
• Job Speed Dating für Menschen mit Behinderung Employment matchmaking event connecting job-seeking people with disabilities and employers through structured 8-minute speed dating conversations, preceded by professional coaching preparation.
• Goldener Rollstuhl Award Annual award presented at the CMT travel trade show since 1993, recognizing outstanding barrier-free tourism offerings in categories including hotels, digital offerings, travel operators, leisure/recreation, and travel guides.
• Barrierefreier Tourismus Beratung (Accessible Tourism Advisory) Consulting and information services on accessible travel destinations, accommodations, cultural offerings, and tourism experiences in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, and throughout Germany.
• Euro WC-Schlüssel Ausgabestelle Official distribution point for the European WC key, enabling people with disabilities to access wheelchair-accessible toilets throughout Europe.
• Arnie Anhängerkupplung für Rollstühle Trailer hitch for wheelchairs using 3x360° technology, allowing users to attach rolling suitcases, trolleys, or shopping carts to their wheelchairs for easier transport.
• Rollstuhlgerechter Bus (Wheelchair-accessible Bus Rental) Wheelchair-accessible bus rental for outings and transport, featuring a ramp and seating for 9 persons including 4 wheelchair positions.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ISL e.V. (Interessenvertretung Selbstbestimmt Leben in Deutschland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZsL Stuttgart is a member of ISL e.V., the national interest group for self-determined living in Germany. ISL represents the German disability self-advocacy movement and connects ZsL to the broader national and international independent living network. ZsL participates in ISL initiatives including joint Job Speed Dating events.
• MTV Stuttgart (Turn- und Sportverein Stuttgart)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTV Stuttgart is a large sports club in Stuttgart with an active inclusion department. ZsL co-exhibited with MTV Stuttgart at the REHAB fair (May 2025) and at the Feuerfest community event. MTV Stuttgart has received the Goldener Rollstuhl award for its inclusive sports programs.
• Messe StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMesse Stuttgart hosts the annual CMT tourism fair where ZsL maintains a permanent 'Reisen für alle' (Travel for All) stand. Messe Stuttgart provides organizational support for the Goldener Rollstuhl award ceremony, including the 'Wohnzimmer' venue in Hall 5/6. Katja Huber, Kerstin Heim, and Franziska Maier from Messe Stuttgart provide ongoing support.
• bhz Stuttgart e.V. (diakonische Einrichtung der Behindertenhilfe)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerbhz Stuttgart is a Diakonie-affiliated disability services organization. ZsL co-hosted an information event with bhz on 'betriebsintegrierte Arbeitsplätze' (integrated workplace positions), featuring Julia Leu from bhz's JobInklusiv department which supports transitions from sheltered workshops to the open labor market.
• ISL Deutschland / InterAktiv e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZsL co-organized the first Job Speed Dating in Stuttgart in 2023 with ISL Deutschland and InterAktiv e.V. under an Aktion Mensch-funded project. Alexander Ahrens from ISL expressed high satisfaction with the joint format.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Aktion Mensch: Major German social welfare foundation funding inclusion projects. Comparable ecosystem participant as ZsL's primary project grant provider for Job Speed Dating.
• Messe Stuttgart (CMT): Trade fair organizer hosting the annual CMT tourism fair where ZsL operates the 'Reisen für alle' stand and Goldener Rollstuhl award ceremony. Ecosystem partner enabling ZsL's tourism-sector visibility.

Regional players

• bhz Stuttgart e.V. Diakonie-affiliated disability services provider in Stuttgart operating in the same metropolitan area. Comparable as a regional peer with overlapping inclusion/employment transition services (e.g., JobInklusiv program for sheltered workshop transitions); co-hosted events with ZsL.

Emerging players

• MTV Stuttgart (Turn- und Sportverein Stuttgart): Large Stuttgart sports club with an active inclusion department and a past Goldener Rollstuhl awardee. Comparable as a regional inclusion/sports organization co-exhibiting with ZsL at REHAB fair and Feuerfest.

Direct peers

• InterAktiv e.V. Disability self-advocacy and Independent Living organization in Germany. Comparable peer co-organizing the Job Speed Dating format with ZsL Stuttgart and ISL Deutschland.
• Selbstbestimmt Leben Innsbruck: Austrian Independent Living center providing peer counseling and personal assistance coordination. Directly comparable to ZsL Stuttgart as a peer-led disability self-advocacy and counseling organization; ZsL's new EUTB hire Dr. Manuela Schickle previously worked there.

Broad incumbents

• ISL e.V. (Interessenvertretung Selbstbestimmt Leben in Deutschland): National umbrella for the German Independent Living movement and ZsL Stuttgart's parent network. Comparable as a coordinating advocacy body in the same disability self-determination space, with broader national remit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZsL-Stuttgart-eV-108891398000000
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zentrum-selbstbestimmt-leben

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Zentrum Selbstbestimmt Leben