 |
|
| Berlin Local Reference INFOrmation
Overview of where to go and what to do if you are mobility, sight or hearing impaired - a wheelchair or cane user - and living in or visiting Berlin. Information on the German organisations and facilities.
German law (Grundgesetz) forbids discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability. The Social Welfare Code IX (SGBIX), which came in to force in April 2001, is based on the idea of equal opportunities and participation rather than merely welfare. It focuses on rehabilitation and access for disabled people and stipulates levels of support depending on measurement of the degree of disability.
This page has information on:
There is a great deal of support available to disabled people (behinderter Menschen) in Germany, from general counselling to specific institutions such as:
These institutions and services are delivered mostly by private charity organisations (such as Caritas, Diakonisches Werk, self-help groups, parent associations) or, where no private service is available, through the public sector. German Disability Benefits & State SupportGermany's administration is largely decentralised. Each District Office (Bezirksamt) has someone who handles disability matters (Behindertenbeauftragte/r), who can give advice about the range of financial, educational and professional support available to disabled people in their district. For information about integration into the work force, disabled people should contact the rehabilitation team at the local Labour Agency (REHA-Team, Agentur für Arbeit). Degree of disability (Grad der Behinderung, GdB)German social law defines a level of disability as a non-temporary diminishing of bodily or psychological abilities that is due to an irregular state, rather than induced by age or temporary illness. Benefit payments vary according to the degree of disability. The Pension and Benefits office (Versorgungsamt) in the disabled person's residence will assess the degree of disability (from 20 to 100), based on existing documents or further examination by the applicant's doctors. How to claimTo qualify for any allowances or special employment conditions, disabled people need to address their local Pensions and Benefits Office (Versorgungsamt) in order to be granted a grading of disability.
It is useful to list the names and addresses of all doctors consulted (family doctor and specialists including, if applicable, psychotherapists) as well as attach any relevant doctor's certificate, laboratory reports and hospital notes. People with a high degree of disability, that is, more than 50 percent (Schwerbehinderte), are issued with a disability card (Schwerbebehindertenausweis) that lists the level and nature of their disability. It is valid throughout Germany. Benefits availableSeriously disabled people are entitled to allowances and special employment conditions:
Blind, highly visually impaired and deaf people may also be entitled to a state care allowance (Landespflegegeld) which allocates a lump sum as compensation for extra expenses incurred due to the disability. The amount depends on the degree of disability. More information can be obtained from the Youth and Social department at the District Office of residence of the disabled person (Geschäftsbereich Jugend und Soziales, Bezirksamt). Disabled people who need help in carrying out everyday tasks (such as domestic chores, mobility and personal hygiene) may be entitled to care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) payments, as may their carers. Further information can be obtained from the disabled person's or carer's health insurance organisation (Krankenkasse). Disabled people may also be entitled to an accommodation grant (Wohngeld), the amount of which depends on the level of disability, the number of people in the household and the monthly rental payments. Pension based on reduction in earning capacity (Erwerbsminderungsrente)People who are unable to work for more than three hours a week based on normal working conditions and whose disabilities are unlikely to change in the future are entitled to a full pension. The amount of this pension is halved if the working hours extend to between three and six hours per week. The assessment of working capacity is linked to health reasons and not to the person's capacities for a current, specific job, for example the applicant is judged against their potential participation in the general job market and not solely their own previously chosen profession. The monthly amount depends on the pensioner's years of contribution, their previous and current average earning and their place of residence in Germany (for example in the "old" or "new" German federal states). The person's pension fund (Rentenversicherungsträger) can give further information and process claims.
Children & Young People with DisabilitiesThe Youth Department of the District Office in the disabled person's place of residence offers advice as well as therapeutic and educational support for disabled minors (in special circumstances this may be extended up to the age of 27). In line with all children, young disabled children are entitled to daycare. Where possible, they may attend a centre with non-disabled children. There are also special groups for children with a higher level of disability. More information on the latter can be obtained from the coordination office of the Child and Youth/Sociopaedeatric Centres (Kinder- und Jugendambulanzen/Sozialpädiatrischen Zentren, SPZ). Child and Youth Centres generally offer the following services:
The child must be referred by a family doctor to the Centre in his/her place of residence.
Early special schooling for visually disabled, deaf and physically disabled children is also available; some children attend from age three. During compulsory schooling, integration with non-disabled pupils is encouraged, but in cases of more severe disability, each federal state has a range of special schools covering a variety of special needs, from mental and social to physical disorders, at primary and secondary levels. Further information can be obtained from the local educational authority (Schulamt).
Extended child benefitParents can claim a continued child benefit allowance (Kindergeld) for disabled children over the age of 27 if they are unable to care for themselves and the disability occurred before the age of 27. Should the disabled person receive income that exceeds €7,680 (in 2007), they will no longer be entitled to this allowance. TransportationPublic transportSeriously disabled people may travel on public transport for free, provided they have a dual-coloured disability card (green and orange) and an additional page with a special token (Beiblatt mit Wertmarke). This can obtained from the Pensions and Benefits Office, either against a small payment or for free, depending on the degree and nature of the disability. The national German rail company, Deutsche Bahn, has a special hotline for disabled travellers to book and request assistance in advance.
Most railway stations (including local as well as intercity) in Germany have facilities for physically disabled travellers to access the platforms (lifts or ramps). Some regional transport companies offer free or reduced rate transport to disabled passengers and their escorts.
The majority of buses, bus stops, trams and tram stops, underground and overground train stations (U und S- Bahnhoefe) in Germany are wheelchair friendly. There are also some provisions for visually disabled people. Specially equipped buses and tramsThese buses and trams are marked with a wheelchair symbol as being equipped for the disabled, and a footnote on the printed schedule provided at every stop indicates which trams and buses are so equipped. Look for the words behindert (disabled) and ausgestattet (outfitted). Both buses and trams also have seat-belt-like straps provided to prevent the chair from rolling during transit.
Even on those buses not specially equipped, there is always enough space for a wheelchair across from the rear door. For people with difficulty walking, there are marked seats at the front of every bus that are close to the door and offer greater ease getting into and out of them. These are marked with a blue and white cross just above or below the seat. Anyone may use them, but an able-bodied person must give up the seat to a disabled passenger upon request. Special transport in BerlinA transport system called Telebus exists in Berlin for those who cannot use public transport, the service runs from 05:00-01:00.
Berlin for the Handicapped contains information from the Berlin Tourist Office on wheelchair friendly transport, accommodation, restaurants, shops and more as well as links to organisations offering information on what to do in Berlin for visually impaired, deaf and mentally disabled people (in English).
ParkingThe blue badge is a standardised European Community disabled person's parking permit which provides parking entitlements to badge holders in all complying European countries - a blue badge from one country is valid in another. A person coming to Germany from another EU country can apply in their home country for this universal badge which allows the use of reserved parking. For further information on how to obtain a blue badge, contact the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building & Urban Affairs.
Things to keep in mind:
Drivers with a blue badge from another European country may display this translation beside a badge written in another language (text from the UK Automobile Association):
The Main National Associations
Associations for the Disabled in Berlin
Other associationsCalibre Audio Books: UK charity, Calibre, supplies audio books in English on cassette or disk to visually impaired and disabled people. The free service is available to members (registration can be made via the website). Free postal service is available to anywhere in Europe. Further Information
|
myAngloINFO Today
Picture perfect A City United East and West embrace one another on Tauentzienstrasse |
Share
Print
+
Related reference INFOrmation on AngloINFO Berlin:
The Weather:Copyright © 2000-2009 AngloINFO Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, About, Advertising, Contact.
AngloINFO: Everyday life in Germany, in English
Find out more about AngloINFO in Germany...