Problems
The lifts at the Veste have had continuous problems and are not reliable or safe. When the lifts are out of use it causes severe problems for people with a disability who depend on them.
Problems at the building on IJburglaan
There is one lift at the building on IJburglaan. There are at least 5 residents with a disability who depend on the lift. If the lift is out of use handicapped residents cannot exit or enter their homes. This has caused residents to miss work, classes, and many important appointments.
The lift problems have caused social isolation and forced residents to find temporary living arrangements. Residents have been stuck in the lifts and the fear of being stuck in the lifts has led to a lot of stress, because nobody knows when they will stop working again.
The problems with the lifts has caused lost education, lost income, lost healthcare , and extra costs for transportation, housing, and other incidental costs.
Residents only option is to call the lift maintenance company, and often they are not told what the status is, so they cannot make plans and must keep asking others if the lift has been repaired yet.
This is an article from Het Parool on 09-03-2024 about problems at the building on IJburglaan: Residents with disabilities locked in their own homes due to broken lift (Google translation).
Problems at the building on Sem Presserhof
There are two lifts at the building on Sem Presserhof. There are at least 15 residents with a disability who depend on the lifts. One lift goes to the entrance on Maria Austriastraat and the other lift only goes to the residents entrance on the square on Sem Presserhof.
If the lift to Maria Austriastraat is out of use residents need to go around the building to the residents entrance on the square on Sem Pesserhof. The steep slope to Maria Austriastraat is a problem for users of manual wheelchairs.
Some residents cannot use the entrance to the Sem Pesserhof because they become stuck by the door because the automatic door opener does not meet the NEN-EN16005 safety standard.
If the lift to Maria Austriastraat is out of use the wheelchair taxis sometimes leave when they don’t see residents arrive quickly enough.
The lift buttons at the Sem Presserhof lifts are worn, illegible, and in the wrong order. It is difficult and confusing to see the numbers, especially for those with vision problems.
Problems for both buildings at the Veste
There is no way for handicapped residents who are renters to inform the housing corporation the Alliantie of the problems with the lifts because renters are not allowed to notify of problems in shared areas or know what the status is.
When there is maintenance, inspections or repairs the handicapped residents are not notified in advance so they can try to adjust their planning.
Often the post-it-notes showing the lifts are out of use fall off and residents have no way of knowing what is happening and when they will be operational again.
When lifts are out of use in either of the building there is no evacuation chair available for use in an emergency.
Solutions
There is a planned overhaul in 2024 that is being coordinated with the de Veste VvE and de Alliantie. We are waiting for information about planning.
Laws and Standards
NEN-EN 81-70 Accessibility of lifts
Lifts that comply with NEN-EN 81-70 guarantee accessibility for everyone. The standard specifies the cabin dimensions and interior accessories that facilitate access for people with disabilities.
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 handicapped residents are not able to access 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
Maintenance company Sky lift, VvE de Veste, de Alliantie,
Project information
We are in contact with the foundation !WOON for information and advise.
