Accessibility

Accessibility means that all aspects of daily life are equally accessible to everyone without the need for outside assistance, and it is an issue that is playing an increasingly important role in the context of events and club culture. Nevertheless, people with disabilities are rarely seen in clubs, bars, or at concerts because going out independently is impossible for them in many places in Berlin. When a club, collective, or event organizer tackles the issue of accessibility, there are many different factors to consider. This complexity, combined with the fact that most people lack firsthand experience of being prevented from participating in social life due to barriers, can lead to uncertainty and feeling overwhelmed—and may even result in the issue not being addressed at all.

With this roundtable, we aim to promote a shift in perspective: that people with disabilities are not inherently disabled, but are hindered by specific barriers, and that we can all contribute to greater inclusion through our work. Together with the invited experts, we will examine the topic of accessibility from the diverse perspectives of club guests with disabilities, club operators, initiatives dedicated to breaking down barriers at events, and the legal framework. We want to exchange ideas and learn together what we can all do to promote greater participation and break down barriers in clubs and at club culture events.

 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Southeast Precinct, Schnellerstraße 137, 12439 Berlin

Register at: awareness@clubcommission.de

 

AGENDA

6:00 PM – 6:10 PM: Welcome from the Awareness Academy

6:10–6:30 p.m.: Everyone’s Input. Accessibility isn’t just about wheelchair accessibility – with Judyta Smykowski (presentation in German)

6:30–6:50 p.m.: Accessibility (Reality) vs. Barrier-Free Access (Vision) in Clubs – with Marcel Weber (Presentation in English)

7:10–7:30 p.m.: How my experiences as a club and festival-goer with a disability led me to create my own event series – with Katouche (presentation in English)

7:30–7:45 p.m.: The Legal Framework for Self-Determined Outings for People with (Attributed) Disabilities – with Melissa Kolukisagil (Presentation in German)

7:45–8:30 p.m.: Group work: Breaking down barriers in clubs and at events—how and where to start?

8:30–9:00 p.m. Presentation of results & closing remarks

9:00 PM: End