Heerlen accessible

Heerlen accessible to all

How wonderful it would be if Heerlen were the most accessible municipality. Under the motto "everyone for each other" we want to make as many people as possible aware of the accessibility of our city.

Concrete actions

Inclusion - the opposite of exclusion

The term inclusion literally means "to include," that is, the opposite of "to exclude. In the first place, one thinks of people with disabilities, such as those in wheelchairs. But there are many other target groups we should not forget. They sometimes require adjustments to our services, the way we provide information or how we organize buildings and public spaces. For example, the elderly, children and young people, the homeless. But also people who cannot read or can barely read, cannot cope well with stressful situations or new technologies.

What is inclusion?

Inclusion means that everyone in society comes into their own. Everyone is allowed to be themselves, everyone is equally important and everyone can participate. Every resident of Heerlen should feel accepted. At home, at school, at work, on the street, in sports - anywhere. Living with a disability should not be a restriction to live the way you want.

Work to be done

Inclusive policies are an ongoing process that we keep improving. The municipality of Heerlen likes to lead by example. In doing so, we need the help of everyone who lives or works in Heerlen.

Do you have an idea or a suggestion? Will you let us know? Mail to: iedereenvoorelkaar@heerlen.nl.

Living with a disability in Heerlen

It's that easy...

Concrete actions

So what do we do as a municipality? We Map supply and demand for suitable housing and housing types for people with disabilities. Review public spaces in the city districts. Municipal employees go out together with experts by experience. We bring the situations into Map and devise solutions to reduce 'thresholds' in public space. But also, for example, to make wheelchair-friendly walking routes or accessible cultural activities possible.

Some examples:

A place for the rainbow community

Centr@l Parq, located at 23A Oranje Nassaustraat, is home to Queer Parkstad, COC Limburg and youth organization @ease. Central Parq is a meeting place for people who think alike. The long, narrow space is cozily decorated with various seating areas, tables and a bar with a couple of refrigerators for food and drinks.

An accessible swimming pool

Swimming pool Hoensbroek has been renovated to be accessible, including multiple disabled toilets and changing rooms that are larger in size. Attention was also paid to the floor finish (anti-slip) and the use of colors for the different parts within the pool.

Theater performances for the visually impaired

Together with Stichting Komt het Zien!, the Parkstad Limburg Theater offers a special theater experience at a number of performances for people who see little or nothing anymore.

Accessible playgrounds

An accessible playground in Welten with playground equipment that children with disabilities can also use. And with adapted paths so that people who use an aid can move through the playground more easily. In the coming years, Heerlen wants to make all playgrounds more accessible.

More accessible buildings

Think of BMV Molenberg and Schunck, but also buildings of small entrepreneurs in the city. Here, for example, the sidewalk has been adapted, steps made more visible or push buttons placed on doors. And we are also involved in new construction plans, for example at the Bekkerveld child center, the BMV Heerlerbaan, Mijn Spoor after-school care center and the Paulus School.

A High Emergency app

Students figured out for the municipality which public restrooms are accessible. Through the national app "High-Need' you can discover where to go to the restroom when the need is high.

Disabled Sports

For people with disabilities, however, it is not yet obvious to find suitable sports and exercise facilities nearby. Through Everyone Can Sport Parkstad we want to give disabled sports a better and more prominent place. Check out the website iedereenkansporten.

Custom workstations

The municipality encourages the adaptation of workplaces to disabilities. The Werkgevers Service Punt (WSP) actively provides information to employers. The municipality and the UWV provide job coaching for job seekers. The target is to create 150 additional workplaces. More information can be found on the Sprinc website .