Hanover: Accessible for All

Exemplary accessibility

© HMTG

Pathways without steps or tripping hazards, space for people in wheelchairs or using walkers, and assistance for people who are hard of hearing or visually impaired: All of this should make a city trip enjoyable today, even for people with disabilities and older adults. A great deal has already been done in Germany to promote accessibility, and Hanover serves as a successful example. “The capital of Lower Saxony is considered exemplary for people with disabilities,” says Beate Fuchs, a travel expert at the consumer portal Ratgeberzentrale.de. For example, there are wheelchair spaces on the open-top double-decker bus used for city tours, where, incidentally, you can get on and off at all the sights with full accessibility—perhaps for a stroll through the famous Herrenhausen Gardens with a culinary break at the café-restaurant.

Guided Tours for Guests with Disabilities
In the Baroque Grand Garden in Herrenhausen, so-called e-scooters are available for people with limited mobility, allowing them to roll through the expansive garden masterpiece. A “VideoVisit” guided tour system is available for guests with hearing impairments. Blind visitors can better visualize the garden’s architecture during their strolls through the gardens with the help of maps in Braille.
All museums in Hanover are accessible: The August Kestner Museum, for example, with its collections ranging from ancient Egypt to modern design, offers guided tours once a month in addition to communication aids for people with hearing impairments. With its tactile and interactive tours titled “Museum Seen Differently,” it specifically caters to blind and visually impaired guests. All special programs are inclusive, meaning they are accessible to everyone. Information and brochures on accessibility are available here.

Following the "Red Thread" through the city
The "Rote Faden" route leads along paths accessible to wheelchairs and walkers to the most important sights in downtown Hanover. Additional information is available in the free “Brochure for Tourists with Disabilities”: from travel arrangements and accessible hotels in all city districts to excursion tips for visitors with disabilities. The “Tips for Tourists with Disabilities” leaflet is even more compact and features large, easy-to-read print.

Special Olympics in Hanover

Under the motto “Stronger Together,” the Special Olympics—the National Games for people with intellectual disabilities—took place in Hanover from June 6 to 10, 2016. Approximately 4,800 athletes thrilled visitors, guests, and the general public with their performances and zest for life in 18 sports as well as in non-competitive activities. A colorful program of events was offered to athletes and spectators alike. For the first time, some of the venues were located right in the city center. For example, the canoeing and open-water swimming competitions took place on and in the Maschsee, respectively; beach volleyball was played at Kröpcke; and the running events were held on a loop course right through the heart of downtown. Nearly 2,300 volunteers, along with 1,800 coaches and support staff and 500 referees and officials, contributed to the success of the 2016 Special Olympics. Further information can be found here.