On behalf of District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier, Vavouras addressed Florio and the participants. "You have been representing the interests of people with disabilities with great commitment for decades," said Vavouras, praising Florio's voluntary work. Florio repeatedly drew attention to the fact that inclusive education is the central prerequisite for equal participation. "Withyour activities, you encourage other people to also seek and find their own path." Vavouras went on to say that this achievement deserved the highest respect and recognition and presented Florio with the State of Baden-Württemberg's badge of honor as the surprise of the evening.
The state badge of honour is donated by the Minister President and is awarded for many years of voluntary work in associations or organizations with cultural or social goals. It is awarded to people who have rendered outstanding services to the community. A basic requirement is at least 15 years of voluntary work.
Florio fights for "choice, equal participation and self-determination"
Antonio Florio received the badge of honor for his many years of voluntary work, including as an inclusion activist and chairman of the association. Florio has been a founding member of the association since 2004 and its first chairman since 2009. "Since then, you have been actively fighting for structures that enable people with disabilities to have choices, equal participation and self-determination," said Vavouras in recognition of his commitment.
Florio also initiated the founding of the current Ludwigsburg District Inclusive Advisory Board in 2012 and played an active role in setting up this advisory board for people with disabilities in the district of Ludwigsburg. He was Chairman of the Board from 2012 to 2019. He still supports the work of the advisory board today, for example as a driving force and speaker.
Raising awareness among students at universities
Antonio Florio's voluntary work also includes raising awareness among students at universities. Since 2003, he has been involved in various seminars on the topics of
topics of assistance, self-determined living and the employer model - consistently every semester to this day - now in various seminars at the Ludwigsburg University of Applied Sciences and at the Reutlingen campus in the Social Work, Inclusive Education and Social Diaconia courses. Since 2019, he has been giving seminars for students independently as a lecturer with one teaching assignment per semester at the Ludwigsburg University of Teacher Education and in cooperation with lecturers at the Ludwigsburg University of Applied Sciences.
About the association "Selbstbestimmt Leben im Landkreis Ludwigsburg e.V."
The association was founded in September 2004 by friends and relatives of Antonio Florio in order to secure funding for his employer/assistance model. Since September 2006, Antonio Florio's funding has been secured in the second court case. The association now concentrates on providing advice and information.
The association "Selbstbestimmt Leben im Landkreis Ludwigsburg e.V." is an association of people with the aim of improving the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. The top priority is the right of people with disabilities to freely choose benefits, services and facilities and to be able to shape their own living conditions.
