Checking the indoor swimming pool: There is still room for improvement for people with disabilities

Created: 09/28/2022, 20:00

By: Doris Schmid

Off to the pool: This lift allows people with disabilities barrier-free access.

© Hans Lippert

The Geretsried indoor pool has been in operation for a year.

The district's commissioner for people with disabilities believes that some areas could still be improved.

Geretsried – The inter-municipal indoor pool has been in operation for a year.

Around 35,200 private visitors were counted during this time.

The district's Disability Officer, Ralph Seifert, recently took a close look at the swimming pool.

The wheelchair user checked the bathroom for accessibility together with Sabine Lorenz, integration officer of the Geretsried city council.

The 53-year-old stated: "There is still room for improvement."

The Benediktbeurer started his tour in the adjacent multi-storey car park.

He was able to park his car in a disabled parking space.

"Across Europe, these parking spaces are free of charge," reports Seifert afterwards.

Not in Geretsried.

Disabled visitors to the pool also have to pay a parking fee there.

The exit door of the car park in the direction of the indoor pool cannot be operated electrically.

"It's very stiff," says Seifert.

According to City Councilor Lorenz, this should be improved.

Geretsrieder indoor swimming pool checked: accessibility for people with disabilities "satisfactory"

Ralph Seifert is the district's Disability Officer.

© Archive

The barrier-free access to the indoor pool caught his eye.

This also has a wheelchair-accessible incline.

But: There is only one handrail suitable for pedestrians.

"It's bad for wheelchair users if you have to pull yourself up there." His suggestion: the city should install a second handrail at about the height of the wheelchair handrim.

The electric entrance doors to the bathroom are “wonderful”, says Seifert happily.

But a threshold about two centimeters high is not marked, criticizes Seifert.

"You can set the clock so that someone stumbles and falls there," he fears.

This problem could easily be remedied with an adhesive strip in a fluorescent colour.

Many measures could be implemented quickly and easily in the Geretsried indoor pool

In the changing area there are two cabins for the disabled.

Their size is good, but they are relatively dark.

"In one is a changing table," says Seifert.

In principle, it is commendable that it was thought of.

But Seifert would have wished for a different location.

A lounger is important for disabled people to change their clothes – and they are missing.

The transition area to the swimming pool is equipped with a shower and a toilet.

"This room would be ideal for setting up a lounger there," recommends Seifert.

"And privacy would also be maintained." Seifert has nothing to complain about in the showers and toilets.

But the emergency call button is difficult to reach.

"If you're on the ground, you can't get there."

In the swimming pool, Seifert looked at all the pools.

Two pools are accessible for disabled people with an electric lift.

"It is important for wheelchair users that they can sit down and lean against it," explains Benediktbeurer.

However, the 53-year-old thinks that the steps into the water could be better marked.

"It's all stainless steel, older or visually impaired people could have problems." The loungers in the hall are very deep - older people in particular would find it difficult to get up.

Seifert would like taller models so that a wheelchair user can move without help.

Seifert: "Planners never have such details on their screens because they don't ask."

The aim should be self-determined and independent visits by people with disabilities in the bathroom

In general, Seifert finds that the needs of visually impaired people have not been taken into account enough.

“The swimming pool is very nice with its dark panels.

But there are no high-contrast markings.

You can't find your way at all.” That's why he suggests putting up a silver-colored guide from the checkout towards the changing rooms, for example.

"It's very easy to deal with afterwards."

also read

Clandestine demolition probably “inevitable”: State politicians are campaigning for tenants

Disappeared without a trace: the police are still looking for missing persons - "Requires medication"

What grade would Seifert give the school and sports pool?

"Satisfactory," says Seifert.

"You can easily retrofit with relatively little effort." The goal should be a self-determined and independent visit to the bathroom.

The Disability Officer of the City of Geretsried intends to submit his suggestions in a written report.

bw

By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter.