Thesis from 2003 in the field of Education - Special Education, Grade: 2.0, University of Cologne, Course: Youth in the Third Reich II - Desiderata and Marginal Areas of Research, Language: German.

Abstract: In my exploration of the topic "Special Schools in the Third Reich," I came across many interesting texts and papers with various approaches and focuses. The period of National Socialism was examined, for example, in relation to its prehistory, the conditions in Germany were compared to those in France at that time, or the attitude of special education towards its past was critically analyzed. However, the connection to the present is often forgotten or only mentioned in passing.

My questions while writing this paper were: What is the current situation and living conditions for people with disabilities? Have we made progress towards integration, and if so, what kind? Are there setbacks, and to what extent are special needs students and disabled children still marginalized today? Is contemporary societal behavior possibly comparable to the events of the Third Reich?

To answer these questions, the situation of special schools and teachers, as well as special needs students and disabled individuals during National Socialism, will first be described and explained in detail. Against this background, the approach of special education to its history will be briefly addressed to make the treatment of people with disabilities today more understandable. Following this, I will compare the findings about the Third Reich with reports on current discussions on the topic.