Rostock shines: Praise for outstanding accessibility in the city!

Rostock shines: Praise for outstanding accessibility in the city!

At an important meeting of the working group of representatives of severely disabled people from all German federal states, Rostock presented itself as a pioneer in accessibility. This event, which took place on June 25, 2025, brought together numerous participants who discussed measures to improve the participation of disabled people. The focus was on accessibility in the Hanseatic city, which has shown impressive progress for many. After all, the participants were not only interested in graphics and theory, but also got an idea of ​​the conditions on site.

The meeting took place in the cozy Vienna House Sonne in Rostock, where some necessary renovations were made. These include sturdy grab bars and clearly visible markings on stairs as well as glass elevators that make use easier for people with mobility limitations. The night watchman's walk, which led the participants through the Eastern Old Town, was particularly praised, as was the easy use of public transport.

Praise and challenges

Christian Löhr, a wheelchair user from Bavaria, particularly emphasized the accessibility in Rostock. He found the city extremely accessible, although the cobblestones presented a challenge here and there. The well-signposted disabled toilets were also positive. During a trip to Warnemünde, the participants were able to admire the excellently developed promenade, the barrier-free Thalasso path and the also barrier-free excursion steamer. These measures and the valued accessible beach crossings demonstrate the importance of access to recreational facilities.

Despite all the progress, there were also critical voices. State and local government websites are often difficult to access for people with visual impairments. There is an urgent need for action here, especially with regard to high-contrast pages, larger fonts and suitable reading software. In addition, it was criticized that older public buildings and schools are not yet sufficiently barrier-free.

Commitment to inclusion

An important player in the Rostock accessibility movement is Barrierfreies Rostock gGmbH. This organization has been supporting integration and inclusion of people with various needs in the region for over 30 years. It offers a wide range of assistance services designed to help people promote their self-determination and acceptance in the community. The offerings of this facility are based on the legal basis of the Social Security Code, and its team of around 100 dedicated employees is ready to provide individual support.

The further development of Rostock in terms of accessibility will remain exciting. The next meeting of the Working Group of Representatives for the Severely Disabled, which is planned for next year in Freiburg, will also provide important impetus. The program includes the construction of a new district for 15,000 people, which is to be designed to be completely barrier-free. This gives hope that even more people will be able to enjoy the benefits of a barrier-free environment in the future.

Another forward-looking step is the rental of 24 barrier-free apartments by the German Red Cross in Anklam. These developments show that awareness of the needs of people with disabilities is growing throughout Germany and that concrete measures are being taken to increase their participation in social life.