Dear TTers,
As Germans seem to have a law for everything, does any know of a law regarding access to buildings ie should the building / hausmeister provide some sort of ramp to allow access for a pram or wheelchair.? Bascially my wife is stuck in all day when im at work because she cant get the pram down 8 stairs leading to/from the lift/ elevator. Any advice on this would be helpful before i go complaining.
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Laws regarding ramp-access to an apartment block
Ramps for wheelchair users and prams
No idea, but practically, you should just leave the pram in the foyer downstairs like everyone else does. Carry the baby inside, not the vehicle.
Thanks but that doesnt work , we live on the 6th floor and dont have a foyer. Moving is out of the question at moment also
If she can't park it next to the elevator, then she will have to do what I did - pick it up and carry it. It's also a great workout. Mine was a huge peg perego Italian / German thing that held a weeks worth of shopping as well. (Couldn't carry it that well when full though)
Ok there are four steps, a landing, then 4 more steps here so I only really had to do four steps at a time - but it got me into good enouch shape that I could carry that - with baby - down the Ubahn stairs when the escalator broke once.
Barring that - what about a sling or baby backpack thing?
Ok there are four steps, a landing, then 4 more steps here so I only really had to do four steps at a time - but it got me into good enouch shape that I could carry that - with baby - down the Ubahn stairs when the escalator broke once.
Barring that - what about a sling or baby backpack thing?
Ever thought of you carrying it out in the morning, putting a cover over it and chaining it up. Your lady-wife can then use it as she will!
I used to be a "Hausmann" for a year, so being a big strong guy I always left mine inside the entrance which was handy! And in the house there were 4 young families, never had a prob with that. But U-Bahn+S-Bahn, I could write a book.
I used to be a "Hausmann" for a year, so being a big strong guy I always left mine inside the entrance which was handy! And in the house there were 4 young families, never had a prob with that. But U-Bahn+S-Bahn, I could write a book.
But U-Bahn+S-Bahn, I could write a book. 
Eight steps is keeping her from getting out?
Most of us mums learn to "bounce" the strollers up and down steps. Whether or not you have to do it daily at home, sooner or later you'll have to do it, due to trying to get into or out of the U-Bahn or elsewhere with a broken elevator or escalator.
As this situation is so common, I don't think you'll find any law regarding the management having to install a ramp for you. In winter, you might not even want to deal with a ramp, especially if it's a makeshift one, since it will be more slippery than steps.
Most of us mums learn to "bounce" the strollers up and down steps. Whether or not you have to do it daily at home, sooner or later you'll have to do it, due to trying to get into or out of the U-Bahn or elsewhere with a broken elevator or escalator.
As this situation is so common, I don't think you'll find any law regarding the management having to install a ramp for you. In winter, you might not even want to deal with a ramp, especially if it's a makeshift one, since it will be more slippery than steps.
"Bouncing" the pram is a priceless art, especially when faced with Ubahn/Sbahn stations with no elevator and escalators stuck going the wrong way.
Before you go complaining it is always a good idea to get in touch with your landlord/house management and explain your problem. Providing them with a feasible solution also goes a long way to achieving your goal. For example, offer to purchase a sturdy board or light metal ramp that can be stored in the basement next to the stairs and request permission to set it up temporarily when the stroller is being rolled down/up the stairs. Yes, you or your wife would have to carry the ramp up from the basement and back down but it is easier and safer than bouncing the buggy, especially in wet weather.
Mind you, laying a ramp over eight steps will give you quite a steep incline. Is there a garage or shed where you can keep the buggy at ground level? As sea-king says, get a plastic cover to protect it from the elements.
Mind you, laying a ramp over eight steps will give you quite a steep incline. Is there a garage or shed where you can keep the buggy at ground level? As sea-king says, get a plastic cover to protect it from the elements.
I don't know if there are any laws around handicap access to buildings. I assume that there aren't. I drag my Kartoffelmercedes up the 5 steps to my lift.
I do not recommend wrestling with heavy loads on stairs, she says 2 back surgeries later.
FF
I do not recommend wrestling with heavy loads on stairs, she says 2 back surgeries later.
FF
A handycapped person could demand the landlords acceptance for a ramp. But the landlord doesnt have to pay for it. Being a weak woman isnt considered a disability.
QUOTE
§ 554a Barrierefreiheit
(1) Der Mieter kann vom Vermieter die Zustimmung zu baulichen Veränderungen oder sonstigen Einrichtungen verlangen, die für eine behindertengerechte Nutzung der Mietsache oder den Zugang zu ihr erforderlich sind, wenn er ein berechtigtes Interesse daran hat. Der Vermieter kann seine Zustimmung verweigern, wenn sein Interesse an der unveränderten Erhaltung der Mietsache oder des Gebäudes das Interesse des Mieters an einer behindertengerechten Nutzung der Mietsache überwiegt. Dabei sind auch die berechtigten Interessen anderer Mieter in dem Gebäude zu berücksichtigen.
(2) 1Der Vermieter kann seine Zustimmung von der Leistung einer angemessenen zusätzlichen Sicherheit für die Wiederherstellung des ursprünglichen Zustandes abhängig machen. 2§ 551 Abs. 3 und 4 gilt entsprechend.
(3) Eine zum Nachteil des Mieters von Absatz 1 abweichende Vereinbarung ist unwirksam.
(1) Der Mieter kann vom Vermieter die Zustimmung zu baulichen Veränderungen oder sonstigen Einrichtungen verlangen, die für eine behindertengerechte Nutzung der Mietsache oder den Zugang zu ihr erforderlich sind, wenn er ein berechtigtes Interesse daran hat. Der Vermieter kann seine Zustimmung verweigern, wenn sein Interesse an der unveränderten Erhaltung der Mietsache oder des Gebäudes das Interesse des Mieters an einer behindertengerechten Nutzung der Mietsache überwiegt. Dabei sind auch die berechtigten Interessen anderer Mieter in dem Gebäude zu berücksichtigen.
(2) 1Der Vermieter kann seine Zustimmung von der Leistung einer angemessenen zusätzlichen Sicherheit für die Wiederherstellung des ursprünglichen Zustandes abhängig machen. 2§ 551 Abs. 3 und 4 gilt entsprechend.
(3) Eine zum Nachteil des Mieters von Absatz 1 abweichende Vereinbarung ist unwirksam.
Whisper the word "Ausländerunfreundlichkeit" and see what happens.
J/K
Fruity
J/K
Fruity
How about "geschlechtsspezifische Diskriminierung" ?
QUOTE (Renia @ Aug 29 2007, 9:11 pm) 
"Bouncing" the pram is a priceless art, especially when faced with Ubahn/Sbahn stations with no elevator and escalators stuck going the wrong way.
Just about all are "barrier free" now, have a look at the MVV website.
I want to second the suggestion for your wife to use a sling, Tragetuch or some other way of carrying the baby other than using the pram. Since saying 'use a sling' is not particularly informative, I'm going to go into more detail.
Tragetuch (woolen wraps) - these are more widely available in Germany than almost anywhere else in the world (lots of the brands are German). Get a wrap that is a minimum of 4.6 metres long, some of the brands come with a DVD telling you lots of methods of getting the baby into it, and there are also LOTS of online instructions including step by step pictures, people showing how to do do it on You-Tube, etc. If you have a midwife (Hebamme), she can probably show one or two basic methods, as well. She may even be able to lend you/your wife one to try it out.
The Baby Bjorn is a carrier that is widely available, but personally I wouldn't recommend it as they are not particularly comfortable, and rapidly become even more uncomfortable as the baby grows bigger. This is the reason that you don't see many people carrying larger babies in the Baby Bjorn.
However, there is a softer, more padded, and much more versatile carrier called the Ergo that is available at a lot of baby stores here in Germany.
Another carrier is a Meitai, which is a carrier based on the traditional Chinese way of carrying babies. The ones made nowadays have more padding at the shoulders and waist than the traditional carriers, which makes them more comfortable. You can only get these online here in Germany - and mostly from America - but they are wonderfully versatile.
I live on the top floor of a building without an elevator, and our U-Bahn station has no elevator or escalator, only stairs. I thought long and hard about mobility with the baby while I was still pregnant, and decided that a pram would just make my life harder rather than easier. So I bought a wrap, and later a Meitai and an Ergo (for DH) as well, and have NEVER regretted it.
DS is now 15 months, at the topmost range of normal weight (read = he's super heavy for his age!) and yet carrying him is still easy (I carry him exclusively on my back now and, yes, putting a baby on your back even when alone is not difficult). Basically I don't need to worry about steps or flights of stairs, kerbs, potholes, cobblestones, crowded buses or trains, narrow supermarket aisles, and so on, but am essentially as mobile as if I were alone.
We also both fit under one umbrella when it rains, and he stays warm and snug against me when the weather is cold.
BTW, we have a few friends who have both wraps and a pram, and all far prefer the wraps for the improved freedom of movement it gives them in everyday life. The pram is not totally useless, for them, for example it is nice to use if you are taking a long stroll, but a wrap or another carrier is what alows them to easily get out and about.
I realise this doesn't solve your original problem. However, to my mind, the eight steps your wife is facing with the pram when alone are simply one example of the many hurdles one faces when out (especially when alone) with a pram and a baby, and I urge you to at least consider it as one way of making life with a baby easier.
Tragetuch (woolen wraps) - these are more widely available in Germany than almost anywhere else in the world (lots of the brands are German). Get a wrap that is a minimum of 4.6 metres long, some of the brands come with a DVD telling you lots of methods of getting the baby into it, and there are also LOTS of online instructions including step by step pictures, people showing how to do do it on You-Tube, etc. If you have a midwife (Hebamme), she can probably show one or two basic methods, as well. She may even be able to lend you/your wife one to try it out.
The Baby Bjorn is a carrier that is widely available, but personally I wouldn't recommend it as they are not particularly comfortable, and rapidly become even more uncomfortable as the baby grows bigger. This is the reason that you don't see many people carrying larger babies in the Baby Bjorn.
However, there is a softer, more padded, and much more versatile carrier called the Ergo that is available at a lot of baby stores here in Germany.
Another carrier is a Meitai, which is a carrier based on the traditional Chinese way of carrying babies. The ones made nowadays have more padding at the shoulders and waist than the traditional carriers, which makes them more comfortable. You can only get these online here in Germany - and mostly from America - but they are wonderfully versatile.
I live on the top floor of a building without an elevator, and our U-Bahn station has no elevator or escalator, only stairs. I thought long and hard about mobility with the baby while I was still pregnant, and decided that a pram would just make my life harder rather than easier. So I bought a wrap, and later a Meitai and an Ergo (for DH) as well, and have NEVER regretted it.
DS is now 15 months, at the topmost range of normal weight (read = he's super heavy for his age!) and yet carrying him is still easy (I carry him exclusively on my back now and, yes, putting a baby on your back even when alone is not difficult). Basically I don't need to worry about steps or flights of stairs, kerbs, potholes, cobblestones, crowded buses or trains, narrow supermarket aisles, and so on, but am essentially as mobile as if I were alone.
We also both fit under one umbrella when it rains, and he stays warm and snug against me when the weather is cold.
BTW, we have a few friends who have both wraps and a pram, and all far prefer the wraps for the improved freedom of movement it gives them in everyday life. The pram is not totally useless, for them, for example it is nice to use if you are taking a long stroll, but a wrap or another carrier is what alows them to easily get out and about.
I realise this doesn't solve your original problem. However, to my mind, the eight steps your wife is facing with the pram when alone are simply one example of the many hurdles one faces when out (especially when alone) with a pram and a baby, and I urge you to at least consider it as one way of making life with a baby easier.
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