Tracking Stumbling Blocks and Obstacles
90 Minutes of Research for the Handicapped-City Guide “mobile in Nuremberg”
By Clara Grau
Nuremberg – Since January the Handicapped-City Guide “mobile in Nuremberg” has been online. Anyone can research on their home computer or on an internet capable mobile phone if public buildings, service facilities and places of interest are accessible for individuals having mobility, visual or hearing disabilities. Nuremberg plus (Nürnberg plus) accompanied staff members of the integration firm Netscouts, who collect data onsite and then enter such into the system.
The Memorial to the Nuremberg Trials was opened amidst great international interest in November 2010. Visitors from all over the world have since been able to inform themselves on how and why in 1945/46 an international military tribunal convicted high ranking officials of the national-socialist regime in proceedings held in courtroom 600.
But is such exhibit also accessible for disabled individuals? Such is put to test this April day by Gerd Sirotek and Kurt Pogoda of Netscouts. This IT service provider, which employs individuals with and without disabilities, is creating a digital city guide for public facilities on behalf of the City of Nuremberg.
The entranceway from the Bärenschanzstraße to the entrance doors presents no problem. Kurt Pogoda and Gerd Sirotek recognise such at first glance: The walkway leading to the site is level and instead of stairs a gently sloped ramp leads to the entrance. Greater difficulty is presented for handicapped individuals in finding a parking space. The Courthouse park place is filled to the last space this day and the parking spaces on the street and adjacent areas are reserved for residents. “We will recommend that the administration create reserved handicapped parking spaces” advises Gerd Sirotek, who supports Netscouts as a volunteer. Especially important for individuals having a mobility disability is that no high curbstones hinder access between the vehicle and the destination.
Next, Gerd Sirotek and Kurt Pogoda focus their attention on the entrance doors: The heavy wooden doors are unlocked but can only be opened with substantial effort. Mr. Pogoda utilises an electronic measuring device on the door frame. “One meter three centimeters” he dictates to his colleague, who enters such into a data sheet. Such is generally wide enough for wheelchair access.
The Memorial staff graciously assists and answers questions concerning the handicapped toilet facilities: “Take the lift to the second floor please”.
The elevator is brand new and very spacious: Kurt Pogoda measures the door opening, the internal space and the height of the controls with his measuring device. Gerd Sirotek records everything exactly to the last centimeter. He has a handicapped son and understands the problems and desired solutions of disabled individuals. Despite a good first impression both have a point of critique: Voice guidance is absent, which for example, would inform the visually handicapped of the selected floor and which floors have been reached.
On the top floor both search for toilet facilities. The sign posting is poor; the Netscouts colleagues first find the restrooms after a walk through the exhibit. A five meters long and, based upon the experience of Kurt Pogoda, relatively steep ramp must be navigated in order to reach such. Mr. Pogoda likewise suffers from a barely perceptible mobility disability and is generally in the field every two weeks for this internet project.
The Space provided is sufficient to Maneuver
Kurt Pogoda and Gerd Sirotek measure in detail the toilet facility for the disabled with the measuring device: handgrips, emergency alarm and a wheelchair compatible washbasin are present. Sufficient space exists to maneuver with a wheelchair. Nevertheless they record the exact heights of the toilet seat, washbasin and switches in their data sheet. They opine that such information is extremely important for certain individuals.
Back at the office of Netscouts, Kurt Pogoda and his colleagues enter all data into a computer program. This program calculates facility accessibility for disabled individuals.
Such can be recognised at a glance by its users based upon various given symbols. Exact facility descriptions are also provided as well as substantial other information, i.e. opening hours, etc. “The advantage of this digital-city guide over pamphlets is that we can update the information at any time” advises Kurt Pogoda.
Source:
Nuremberg Newspaper of 9 April 2011
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