Is Germany wheel chair friendly? Need accomodations for handicapped mother-in-law. Is it possible?

Show all answers

sidulrike

She shouldnÂ´t have a problem in most places. Most stores are wheelchair friendly but youÂ´ll bump into the occasional exception to the rule. Some cities have more lowered pavement corners, others more. There are actually books about wheelchair-accessible places in Europe, sort of like Fodors for wheelies :-)
The majority of restaurants are accessible and the ones that arenÂ´t oh well, their loss!
Most public places that donÂ´t have a wheelchair acessible main entrance will have signs leading you to another entrance that has a ramp.
As for the ranch style houses, youÂ´ll have to really search hard for anything like that but you should be able to find living quarters that are suitable. If the company youÂ´re working for is providing housing you should send them house hunting now so they have something by the time you get there!
While looking for a place to rent you should be looking for the word "behindertengerecht".
Hope you find a great place and can convince her that sheÂ´ll love the European experience!

thetravelingmartins

Are you moving to Germany because you or your spouse is in the military? If so then your mother-in-law will not have a difficult time getting around the base. You will probably have to request special housing. As far as Germany itself, I have seen elderly people driving their motorized wheelchairs around all over downtown. For the most part your mother-in-law will get around just fine. There are however a few stores that do not look handicap accessible but they may have a back entrance for that. I hope this helps.

If your father-in-law is retiring from the military then he should still have a military i.d. that says that he is retired. He can go on post at anytime, but he will probably have to sign you on post. Since your father-in-law has access to post, I would suggest staying at the hotel on post until you can find the house that will fit everyone's needs.

frank

I actually live in Stuttgart.

I think you will get around well, the main problem is: Stuttgart has a lot of hills.

the public transport system is wheel chair friendly: you can use most buses and the underground withou major problems.
most major (modern) stores are accessible

there are still some American (ARMY) and British people living here.

all the best and good luck!

sosunny

Yes, Germany is absolutely wheel-chair friendly, wherever you go, there are ramps next to stairs and even everywhere there are toilets for wheel-chair persons. The big stores are accessable in every case, but I think in small stores, as they are very often in rural areas, your mother might have problems, because itÂ´s very narrowed in there, but the people are so friendly and helpful, that sheÂ´ll feel comfortable all the time. I donÂ´t know whether we have ranch style houses here in Germany, is it the whole house in one storey? If so, there are few houses like that. All in all, I think, your mother is wrong, when she fears, not to do well, IÂ´m sure, sheÂ´ll have a good start in Germany.
Wishing you all the best, Eveline

PedestrianMe

I'm an American living in Germany and, generally, I think the country is unfriendly to wheel chairs. However, they are trying hard to make places wheelchair accessible. Improvements on the Belriner S-Bahn are one example. But still, you must assume that not all subways and buses are going to be accessible. Compared to the States, where every business and gov owned property practically has wheelchair accessible entrances and elevators, Germany is still very whhelchair unfriendly.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: