Unique United - A platform for an inclusive society with limitless offers
“To create a truly inclusive society, we need positive role models and the knowledge of those affected themselves,” says Louis Kleemeyer, founder and CEO of the inclusive online platform Unique United. The 23-year-old entrepreneur with a learning disability knows exactly what he is talking about. With Unique United, he has created a platform that helps people with disabilities to lead a self-determined and free life. Louis is tireless: “It is unacceptable that the resources of people with disabilities remain unused and that their independent lives are systematically hindered. This affects us all - inclusion is not a marginal issue.”
The figures back up his demand: around 10.4 million people with a disability live in Germany, of which around 2 million are unemployed. “We must finally recognize that inclusion does not mean adapting those affected to the existing system - the system itself must change in order to meet the needs of all people. At the moment, there is a lack of courage to rethink things and believe that an inclusive society is possible.”
Encourage and show possibilities
Unique United shows the way: Their website features accessible, easy-to-understand content that does not require extensive text. Short, concise videos explain the services on offer to visitors:
From inclusive sport, travel and training to job search support - Unique United offers tailored advice for people with disabilities as well as for providers and employers who want to become more inclusive. Louis works with an inclusive team of seven, the majority of whom are people with physical or mental disabilities. They all know exactly what hurdles need to be overcome. At Unique United, they are experts in their own right.
“The future of disabled people should not automatically end in institutions or sheltered workshops,” Louis warns, speaking from personal experience. His education was a major challenge, as he was often denied the support he needed and had to fight against an inflexible system together with his family. Instead of a self-determined career path, he was encouraged to work in a sheltered workshop.
Fundamental change of perspective necessary
“We need a fundamental change of perspective,” Louis demands. “Inclusion can only succeed if the system adapts to people - not the other way around. Advice centers for people with disabilities are often staffed by people who are neither sufficiently familiar with the legal situation nor able to offer concrete solutions for individual future planning. People with disabilities need clear and understandable information about their options and rights. At the same time, employers need to be informed about the potential of people with disabilities and how they can make their companies more inclusive. Those affected should be represented in every advice center in order to demonstrate practical solutions.”
Louis speaks from experience: “I wouldn't have made it without the support of my parents.” With his father's help, he was able to complete an apprenticeship as an IT specialist. To do this, father and son had to overcome numerous challenges: they convinced insurance companies, adapted curricula from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and created an accessible workplace. Step by step, they expanded existing standards and ways of thinking.
Their father's initial help made Unique United possible and now they are helping other people to define their own life goals and find the way to achieve them. The platform supports employers in creating inclusive workplaces and offers people with disabilities support in their job search with application templates and advice.
People with and without disabilities should learn from each other and shape an inclusive society together. Louis is also pursuing this vision as part of the Unique Like You team and in his work on the FISU World University Games, which will be held inclusively for the first time in 2025. He proudly reports on his involvement in the first inclusive workshops at the Youth Olympic Camp in Paris 2024.
“I want to encourage everyone and open doors. It's worth fighting for an inclusive future. At REHAB 2025 in Karlsruhe, we will certainly have the opportunity to spread our vision further and are already looking forward to it.”