Berlin
on a Wheelchair – Accessibility and More
Keywords for the wheelchair user travelling to Berlin:
First of all, if uou need to make any enquiries, here are the appropriate words: The term for wheelchair in German is "Rollstuhl" (pronounced Roll-shtool) and the term for wheelchair user is a "Rollstuhlfahrer" (wheelchair driver..., pronounced Roll-Shtool-Fah-rer). Electric Wheelchair is an "Elektrorollstuhl" and something that is wheelchair accessible is "Rollstuhlgerecht" or “Rollstuhlgeeinnigt”. Wheelchair users sometimes refer to themselves in Germany by the nickname "Rolli".
Accessibility
in Berlin
If you're not wheelchair bound, but having problems
walking/standing for a long time, you might like to know that many
good hotels (e.g. the Marriott) have wheelchairs available for their
guests (and this could be also arranged at the airport); and that in
advance, we can rent a simple wheelchair for our tour - we have
already toured with people with mobility problems, and they have seen
Berlin the best way possible, without any limitations.
Getting Around
In addition, Berlin has a great public transportation system, and most (but unfortunately not all) means are wheelchair accessible: all buses are wheelchair accessible (they usually have a ramp, on which you can get on and off the bus); most U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (Metro) stations have a lift (elevator) or a ramp; and almost all tramways have no stairs and again – the driver pulls out a ramp, on which you can get off and on the tram. You can get travel information for the disabled on the BVG website – with a time-table computed to give you only accessible ways (you can choose between ways that are completely accessible to the independent wheelchair traveller, and ones that are accessible only if someone pushes your chair). On the Berlin transit network map, you will be able to see the stations that have lifts/ramps.
Taxis are more of a problem if you're using an electric (not folding) wheelchair and cannot climb into the taxi. In such a case, you can try to order a “Behindertenförderung“ (disabled transport service). We will of course try to assist our clients with ordering such transfers (or airport transfers).
As for renting a car – the large car-rental agencies (Sixt, Avis, etc.) have sometimes a limited number of accessible cars. Otherwise, we can assist you finding a car.
Accommodation
There is a wide variety of hotels, hostels and even an accessible holiday flat to choose from.
Our list has hotels, hostels and holiday flats that have announced that they are accessible. If you have seen a mistake, please let us know.
While booking the hotels in the list, don't forget to note in the "comments" section of the reservation form that you need the wheel-chair accessible rooms; and to book well in advance as possible, as the number of wheel-chair friendly rooms is restricted.
Click on this link to get a list of hotels in Berlin with rooms and facilities for disabled guests.
Additional places
Annett's Holiday Flat - located near the Rosa Luxemburg Platz, in a very central location. Details on accessibility on the site are only available in German, but there are also pictures
Hotel Mit-Mensch - this hotel is located in Karlshorst, which is one of the East Berlin suburbs. It is owned by the incorporated society “MIT-MENSCH” and is a non-for-profit hotel
Christophorus Haus Berlin - this Lutheran guest-house is located in the suburban neighbourhood of Spandau, deep in a park. Two rooms are wheel-chair accessible
Rosemarie Reichwein Haus a non-for-profit guest house and conference centre for those suffering from spacticity. Located near the Olympic Stadium
Dining
Not all restaurants in Berlin are wheelchair accessible. We are slowly trying to gather a proven list of accessible restaurants in Berlin.
Back
Nadav Gablinger, Tour Guide:
Tel:
49-179-1494575
|
E-Mail: gablingers@gmail.com
Tour
Guide in Berlin
Guided
Tour in Berlin
