Speech
Christian Stocker  ·  2026-09-10 11:01

Zivildiener des Jahres 2026 – Tirol

[Music] My name is Leo Brandstätter, I originally come from Salzburg, Bad Gastein, but I was allowed to do my civilian service here at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Tyrol in Innsbruck . My main activities included providing escort and transportation services for visually impaired and blind people. We went there for shopping and doctor's appointments, among other things. What I took away from it was that you don't really notice in everyday life how much people in need of help, especially blind and visually impaired people, need to be made more aware of their needs. That means you have to approach them, you have to show them that they can contribute to everyday life in a completely normal way . I can highly recommend doing civilian service with the Tyrolean Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired . I felt very comfortable, made new friends, and would do it again anytime. Being chosen as Tyrol's Civilian of the Year was very surprising. I received a call and at first I could n't believe it, but I was definitely very happy and I'm also looking forward to meeting the other civilian service workers in Vienna in September and exchanging ideas there.