Funding for occupational and vocational training for the disabled was significantly increased starting in 1970. This followed the introduction of a comprehensive action program by the federal government. As part of this, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs organized a nationwide network of occupational/vocational training centers (with 6,000 slots) and promotion centers (with 11,000 slots). Training centers offered an initial course of instruction to disabled young people, whereas promotion centers provided opportunities for disabled adults to be retrained or acquire additional qualifications. Pictured here is a young man in a wheelchair during his training as an electronics technician at the “Michaelshoven” occupational promotion center in Rodenkirchen near Cologne.