Heerlen accessible
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 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 municipality? We map supply and demand for suitable housing and housing types for people with disabilities. Review the public spaces in the city districts. Employees of the municipality go out together with experts by experience. We map situations and devise solutions to reduce 'thresholds' in public spaces. But also, for example, to make wheelchair-friendly walking routes or accessible cultural activities possible.
Some examples:
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.
An inclusive audio tour about the mining past.
The audio tour is a 2 km route that starts at the Mining Museum, Dr. Poelsstraat 29. Go to the route website to start up the route .
A High Emergency app
Students figured out which public restrooms are accessible for municipality . Through the national app "High-Need," you can find out 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 adapting workplaces to accommodate disabilities. The Employers Service Point (WSP) actively educates 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 .