Problems
There are high stairs that are not accessible going from the sidewalk on Maria Austriastraat to the residents’ entrance to the Sem Presserhof sub block. It requires that residents must go about 150 meters around the building to be able to access the resident entrance.
There is an entrance on the ground floor of the Maria Austriastraat, but this is not where the intercom and mailboxes are located.
When the lift to the ground floor at Maria Austriastraat is out of order, which has happens frequently and for up to 6 months, the only option is for residents to go around the building.
It causes problems with wheelchair taxis because they need to ring the intercom at the resident’s entrance at the top of the stairs, but residents need to go all the way around to the front of the building which takes a lot of time. Sometimes the taxi drivers leave because it takes too long, and it takes hours to request another wheelchair taxi. This has caused residents to be late for doctor’s appointments, work, and flights.
It also causes problems for deliveries of groceries and other heavy items being delivered because there are no intercoms at the ground floor entrance on Maria Austriastraat. Residents have been refused deliveries or told they need to pay extra because drivers sometimes do not understand that they can use the entrance on Maria Austriastraat.
The high stairs also cause problems for other residents and visitors who need to use the stairs with heavy groceries, luggage or strollers. It is not safe because the tread is too high and there are no handrails to hold onto.
Solutions
It is understood that the stones by the stairs were done by the municipality because there was nuisance caused by loitering youth on the steps. Any solution should also try to limit the nuisance of loitering youth.
It might be possible to make a combination staircase and ramp, so that people who have difficulty with the high stairs or are in a wheelchair can easily get to and from their home.
The Theo Frenkelhof complex on the Erich Salomonstraat, Lumièrestraat and the Stadsgracht has a small combination staircase and ramp.
Laws and Standards
Building Decree 2012
According to the Bouwbesluit 2012 the stairs do not meet the safety requirements for a residential function.
Article 2.33 Dimensions of stairs for a residential function: Maximum height of treads: 0.188 meters
Article 2.35 Handrails: A staircase for bridging a height difference of more than 1 m and with a slope at the climbing line greater than 2:3 shall have a handrail on at least one side.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
According to the he UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) it is discriminatory that residents are not able to access the entrance to their homes the same as able bodied residents are able to.
Article 19 – Living independently and being included in the community
c. Community services and facilities for the general population are available on an equal basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their needs.
Stakeholders
Municipality Amsterdam, VvE de Veste
Project information
Coming soon…
