Volunteer Disability Commissioner Quits After 5 Years in Eichenzell

Eichenzell's Disability Advocate Resigns Over Lack of Municipal Support

Udo Bauch of Eichenzell Announces Resignation as Volunteer Disability Commissioner

Udo Bauch, a resident of Eichenzell, has announced his intention to step down from his role as the municipality's volunteer disability commissioner.

His resignation is scheduled for April 23, 2026, explicitly contingent on his successful entry into the municipal council as an alternate member during its constitutive session on the same day.

According to current information and based on existing plans for the future composition of the Eichenzell Citizens' List faction, Bauch is expected to join the council as an alternate. This follows the decision of elected council member Helmut Gladbach to transition into the municipal executive board.

At the same time, Bauch has clarified that—contrary to his initially planned departure on April 23, 2026—he will continue to serve as disability commissioner until the regular end of his term in July 2026 if unexpected changes in the composition of the Eichenzell municipal council or executive board affect his entry as an alternate.

Regardless of these developments, Bauch has firmly stated that he will not be available for another term as disability commissioner after his current term expires in July 2026.

This decision stems from deep personal disappointment over what he perceives as insufficient support from the municipality, as well as the overall challenging conditions of his role.

In particular, the substantial time commitment required by this voluntary position proved increasingly difficult to reconcile with his other obligations, significantly influencing his decision.

Months ago, independent of the 2026 local election results, he had already decided not to run for another term. His latest statement reaffirms this position unequivocally.

Bauch's announced resignation is met with mixed emotions. While he looks back on the past five years with a sense of nostalgia, he also feels profound gratitude for the experiences he has gained during this time.

Serving as an advocate for people with disabilities as well as seniors in Eichenzell has been both a great honor and a source of personal fulfillment.

Throughout his tenure, he has championed their concerns with unwavering dedication, reliability, and personal commitment.

His mission has always been not only to raise awareness of inclusion, social participation, and accessibility but to actively implement these principles and sustainably improve local living conditions.

Bauch has been deeply moved by the numerous expressions of gratitude he has received from those he supported. Many individuals he assisted personally conveyed their appreciation, which served as a constant source of motivation and reinforced the significance of his work.

His own experience as a person with severe disabilities has shaped his approach, allowing him to understand firsthand the daily challenges faced by those he represents. This perspective enabled him to develop practical solutions and provide direct assistance.

A key focus of his work has been close collaboration with disability organizations, associations, social welfare groups, and other network partners. Building and maintaining these partnerships was a personal priority, as he viewed inclusion as a collective responsibility.

In this context, he co-organized several major inclusion events with local partners, including four large-scale inclusion concerts featuring well-known musicians, offering people with disabilities unforgettable experiences.

Beyond these initiatives, Bauch has been a dependable point of contact for residents in countless individual cases. He provided guidance on long-term care insurance, accessible home modifications, and securing places in senior care facilities and daycare programs.

In this way, he was able to make tangible improvements to the daily lives of those affected and their families in many cases.

Other key achievements during his term include conducting accessibility audits in various districts of Eichenzell and initiating concrete measures for improvement. Based on these assessments, barriers were identified and, in some cases, already removed—though he believes there remains a clear need for further action.

Udo Bauch is critical of the conditions under which he carried out his work. He points out that a significant portion of the expenses incurred in the course of his duties had to be covered out of his own pocket. Although the municipal bylaws stipulate that necessary funds should be provided, he repeatedly faced delays and restrictions in reimbursement.

This affected office supplies, material costs, and the use of his private work equipment. Combined with an only partially adequate mileage allowance, this placed an additional financial burden on him.

Beyond this, he had hoped for stronger support from the municipal administration and Mayor Johannes Rothmund during his tenure. From his perspective, requests and concerns were sometimes processed late or only after repeated follow-ups. Overall, he gained the impression that the role of Disability Rights Commissioner was not consistently afforded the necessary importance and recognition within the administration.

Despite these challenges, Udo Bauch also draws a largely positive balance of his work. He particularly highlights the excellent and trusting collaboration with dedicated local stakeholders, including AWO neighborhood manager Andrea Tabaka, inclusion network coordinator Marilene Schmidt-Nohl, the director of Eichenzell's Herrenhaus (Pia Fröhlich), the local VdK Eichenzell branch, the "No Limits" counseling center, and the DRK "People with Disabilities" group. These partners, he says, have been a cornerstone of successful inclusion efforts.

Looking ahead, Bauch remains optimistic that inclusion work in Eichenzell will continue to evolve and strengthen. At the same time, he sees a persistent need for improvement to sustainably enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities as well as seniors.

His personal commitment remains unwavering: for over 40 years, Udo Bauch has passionately advocated for social causes, particularly for people with disabilities. In the future, he will continue to champion inclusion, participation, and accessibility—as a citizen, as part of the inclusion network, and, pending his election, as a member of the municipal council.

In closing, he wishes his successor every success and the necessary support for this vital and responsible role.