Protest day for accessibility: Gießen sets signs of inclusion!

Protest day for accessibility: Gießen sets signs of inclusion!

On May 5, 2025, a significant participation campaign took place in Gießen on the occasion of the European protest day for equality for people with disabilities. Under the motto "Human rights are not negotiable", the Hesse (BSBH) visual impairment and visually impaired association actively acted to sensitize the public. The venue was the Seltersweg, one of the main traffic roads of the city, where a mobile advice center was present with its infomobile under the name "Blickpunkt Aute". This "mini advice center on wheels" is designed to tour all over Hesse and to enable a wider range for consulting services.

Kerstin Germann, the representative of the BSBH, emphasized the relevance of this campaign: "We want to sensitize people to the challenges that people with visual impairment meet in everyday life." Sven Germann, the head of the Gießen-Oberhessen district group and the contact for those affected for 15 years, reported on the previous successes and the need to continue to fight for the inclusion and quality of life of people with visual impairment. The BSBH provides 22 advice centers in Hessen, which support both those affected and their relatives and public institutions.

actions for self -awareness

As part of the participation campaign, the participants were able to actively experience the challenges with visual restrictions. Dark glasses and augmented reality glasses were offered, which made it possible to understand the limits due to age-related macular degeneration, green stars and gray stars. The response among the participants was consistently positive; Families and architects in particular took the opportunity to learn more about the needs of people with visual impairment. Architect Michael Jung expressed that the event provided him with valuable knowledge for his professional practice.

An example of the positive implementation of accessibility in Gießen is the implementation of acoustic announcements at bus stops and cross -country crossings. These measures were largely requested by the BSBH to improve mobility for people with visual impairment. Sven Germann, who is also the chairman of the city council of Gießen, emphasizes how important such developments are for the participation of all citizens in social life.

The role of accessibility in other cities

In the context of accessibility, it also shows in other cities how important this topic is. In 2013, Berlin took first place in the Access City Award for exemplary measures for accessibility. Wiesbaden and Bremerhaven, which also received high awards, implement various measures to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. Wiesbaden received second place in the city center in 2016, while Bremerhaven in turn realized innovative conversions of sights in 2021.