Bethel - "DJ Yallo" inspires as a radio producer

"I can't get no... satisfaction!" The Rolling Stones hit sounds from small speakers and fills the creative area of the Homborn workshop in Hagen. Mayal Petersen, alias "DJ Yallo", watches with satisfaction as some of the employees bob their heads or sing along to the rhythm of the music. The 38-year-old is already selecting the next song from a playlist on his laptop. "Unfortunately, I also have to play a lot of pop songs, which are popular," he remarks with a grin.

The voice that speaks Mayal Petersen's words is not his own. The physically disabled man, who is dependent on a wheelchair, communicates via a talker - and has done so since he was eight years old. "I'd look pretty stupid without it," he says.

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Mayal Petersen is a cheerful person. He enjoys entertaining others. At the same time, he is very communicative. Unfortunately, his fellow human beings are often not patient enough to listen to him in everyday life. Communication via the Talker is not fast enough for many, he reports. He forms his sentences using symbols and images that he selects on a touchscreen.

"I explain the use of my speech computer to other people with disabilities at a school for the physically disabled. It's important to me to help with this"
Mayal Petersen

News in plain language

It's completely different when Mayal Petersen does the workshop radio programme. That's when he gets the most attention. "Mayal Petersen reliably provides us with the latest news from all over the world and creates a good atmosphere. The employees are much more motivated as a result," says specialist Stephanie Löbbe. It is also a great advantage that Mayal Petersen presents the news in plain language. This makes them easy to understand and gets the employees talking about the messages.

Workshop radio is not Mayal Petersen's only passion. He also puts his heart and soul into his work as a consultant for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). He trained for this years ago. He demonstrates his technical equipment to students at TU Dortmund University. His work as an "AAC scout" is also important to him. "I explain the use of my speech computer to other people with disabilities at a school for the physically disabled. It's important to me to help others with it," he says. He would like to spend more time travelling in this role. However, he lacks the necessary mobility and assistance to do so.

Text and photos: Gunnar Kreutner

This story simply told

Mayal Petersen works in a workshop for people with disabilities in Hagen. He is 38 years old. Mayal Petersen cannot speak. When he wants to say something, he uses a speech computer. The computer speaks for him. Mayal Petersen makes the radio in his workshop. All the other employees like it.

Would you like to find out more?

    Contact us

    Homborn workshop in Breckerfeld and Hagen

    v.- Bodelschwingh-Straße 2

    58339 Breckerfeld

    Moritz Vogel
    Pedagogical Director

    02331-899198
    moritz.vogel(at)bethel.de

    To the website of the centre

    Offers & services

    The Homborn workshop offers vocational participation and social rehabilitation to people with disabilities who are not or not yet able to work in the general labour market, regardless of the degree and severity of their disability. The central task is to find a suitable job for each employee.

    At the same time, the Homborn workshop is a service provider and production company for numerous customers and clients from industry, trade and commerce as well as for public sector partners.

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