In this interview Prof. Dr. med. Urs Schneider of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation (IPA) explains which technical solutions are available already – and why self-determination also means protection against violence.
Interview: “Self-determined – also when going to the toilet”
Prof. Dr. med. Urs Schneider, Fraunhofer IPA, on self-determined continence, protection against violence and new solutions at REHACARE 2026
Incontinence is still a taboo subject — although it affects the daily lives of so many people. What kind of thing do those affected tell you?
There is a lot of shame involved even though in Germany alone at least ten million people suffer from bladder and bowel incontinence (current figures by the German Incontinence Society, note by the editor). Add to this, a high number of unreported cases. We know that people affected often develop bedsores and suffer from urinary tract or skin infections. Many withdraw from society running the risk of developing a depression over time or end up in nursing homes. What is already a burden for people not suffering from any other diseases in life, affects all the more those suffering from MS, for example, a physical or mental disability or are paraplegic. It is high time to shine a light on this topic.
You will be creating a space at REHACARE 2026 where those affected share their experiences. Why is it so important that their voices are centrestage?
It is not only about being able to go to the toilet without outside assistance — but also about preventing sexual abuse and violence. The current report published by the Federal Criminal Office in 2025 reveals: women with disabilities suffer sexual violence twice as often as other women — also during catheter insertion. A survey that we carried out as Fraunhofer Institute flags up an additional fact: over 60% of those polled feel moderately to severely sexually impaired as a result of problems they experience with emptying their bladder and bowels. At REHACARE people affected, therapists, companies and researchers will all discuss their subject and overcoming incontinence in daily life in over 30 lectures while the exhibitors will present matching therapies and products.
What does “self-determined continence” mean in daily life — and how can technology help to give people more control?
Imagine a woman in wheelchair who needs to urinate. To test this scenario in practice we collaborated with volunteers and a Tantra therapist. Based on these tests Fraunhofer researchers have now joined forces with medical device technicians to develop an opening device that allows women to help themselves when going to the toilet — in a car, on a plane – all without outside assistance. This protects them against sexual violence, reduces the workload of nursing staff and prevents secondary diseases. We have established a company specifically for this and will be launching the device at REHACARE 2026.
What would you like to see from the industry, politics and also from us as a society?
Open discourse on such topics and more support to help those affected to find matching assistive technologies – via self-help groups or specialist centres and clinics.
About REHACARE
REHACARE is the world-leading trade fair for rehabilitation, prevention, inclusion and care. Under the guiding theme of “Self-Determined Living” it brings together people with disabilities, chronic diseases and old age together with solution providers, starts-ups, associations and political decision-makers. The next REHACARE will be held from 23 to 26 September 2026 in Düsseldorf Demonstrating just how important the views of people affected are for the trade fair is the REHACARE Report 2026: for this large-scale study in excess of 1,500 people with a disability or chronic disease and their relatives were polled on the future of AT provisions.
“Centrestage here must be the people who depend on the demand-driven provision of AT to be able to shape their daily lives in a self-determined way,” says Hannes Niemann, Director of REHACARE.
For more information go to www.rehacare.de
Marketplace & lecture programme “Self-Determined Continence”
In 2026, Hall 1 of Messe Düsseldorf will for the first time serve as a stage for a taboo subject: on the marketplace “Self-Determined Continence” exhibitors such as Hollister, UROMED, PubliCare, ConvaTec and Coloplast will present products and advice around bladder and bowel management.
On all four trade fair days people affected, therapists, researchers as well as representatives of self-help organisations – such as the “Fördergemeinschaft der Querschnittgelähmten” (Support Association for People with Spinal Cord Injuries) (FgQ) and “Bundesverband für körper- und mehrfachbehinderte Menschen” (Federal Association for People with Physical and Multiple Disabilities) (bvkm) – will deliver over 30 talks. The topics range from practical instructions on how to insert your own catheter to targeted bowel movement management and from urinating to the legal entitlements to incontinence care. There will also be talks on sexuality and incontinence as well as exercise in a wheelchair (such as “wheelchair zumba”).
Latest research plays a prominent role: the Fraunhofer IPA will introduce two new devices - 2LIP and 4ROSE – designed to make it easier for women and/or people suffering from paraplegia to go to the toilet – without outside help.
Hall 1, Messe Düsseldorf · Marketplace “Self-Determined Continence” · Over 30 expert lectures in the Forum programme · 23 – 26 September 2026
Photo credits
- User of 2LIP in a bathroom: AI-generated product visualisation (ChatGPT/OpenAI), Fraunhofer IPA
- Profile Prof. Dr. med. Urs Schneider: Fraunhofer IPA
- Schematic illustration of 2LIP: Fraunhofer IPA
- Product photo of 2LIP and 4ROSE: AI-generated product visualisation (ChatGPT/OpenAI), Fraunhofer IPA
- Team photo (Alina Benkiser, Kristina Michel, Carolin Schulz, Prof. Urs Schneider): Fraunhofer IPA
