Wheelchairs and coffeeshops

[davidw]

Hi all

Part of my reason for joining is because I've been having a hard time getting info on what coffeeshops have wheelchair access.

I realise that not everyone on here's mind is on that subject when they step off the plane/train/automobile (it wasn't on mine till two years ago!) but for all the information on Amsterdam, some of the accessibility questions remain

I promise I have tried to search the forum (and other forums) before making this post

As a side (possibly even in a PM, so the thread doesn't veer too much off topic) compared to London or Paris - whats the public transport (bus/tram/metro and taxi) like for wheelchair users?

Thanks for your input.

[FlyByNite]

The little green arrows at the bottom of this page will get you more pages.

http://www.tourmaster.freeuk.com/page6.htm

Here is an old thread from this forum.

https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/forum/viewt ... wheelchair


Here is one from Channels that applies.

http://forum.channels.nl/phpbb/viewtopi ... 850#392850


Enjoy
FlyByNite

[sh@dy]

at the dutch stations theres usually enough personal to give you info or help you into the right direction.....I would fear the amsterdam-streets more in your situation, they are up and down....up and down...up and down....its crazy

and for the coffeeshops:
most of them are on the ground floor, so they are easy accessable, only few have their bud-bar on a different floor.

[davidw]

..I would fear the amsterdam-streets more in your situation, they are up and down....up and down...up and down....its crazy

and for the coffeeshops:
most of them are on the ground floor, so they are easy accessable, only few have their bud-bar on a different floor.

Regarding the first..... i gave up manual "self prop" ages ago..... my current powerchair has no problems at glanstonbury.... just like darleks (of old) the only thing that stops me is 2 or more steps (it can climb a single step / kerb)

anyhow enough bragging in the UK we have a law that states members of staff / businesses must make "reasonable" adjustments.... offically this means removing issues completly if they can, if not a fair work around is acceptale eg if i cant get in, they will "serve" me on the steps ......... (my local bank branch has to do this as its protected from alterations by law... in fact if we have to discuss things like loans we goto the fastfood place next door - again i digress)

have you ever known a staffer to be that helpful.... where i haven't got a hope in getting to the counter....?

[sh@dy]

I personally dont think there is any shop that WONT help you to get to the counter.....maybe some real fucked up places wouldnt help you, but they arent worth the money anyway....the dutch are very helpful, you should be able to get whereever you want, I have seen so many wheelchair-users in amsterdams shops over the years....well maybe if the stairs are too small, which happens a lot, they wont be able to help you, but I would say they will at least try

maybe we start a list of shops which dont have their bud-bar in the ground floor?

I start with:
Rokerij (I dont know which one, will search for it later)

[hippy_man99]

blues bros (up the stairs in the back)
Bluebird

peace,
hippy

[mark the martian]

Amsterdam is super un-wheel chair friendly in the sense that the buildings are often absurdly narrow, and most places don't have lifts. That said, there are lots of places that don't have steps, I'll try and get a list together. Main problem is probably that there isn't room in lots of coffeeshops to get a wheelchair through the premisis, past the tables etc.

Are you trying to avoiding being in a situation where you're asking people to help you? I have a friend in a wheelchair and I know he's not so into it

[Fat Freddie]

Hi all

Part of my reason for joining is because I've been having a hard time getting info on what coffeeshops have wheelchair access.

I realise that not everyone on here's mind is on that subject when they step off the plane/train/automobile (it wasn't on mine till two years ago!) but for all the information on Amsterdam, some of the accessibility questions remain

I promise I have tried to search the forum (and other forums) before making this post

As a side (possibly even in a PM, so the thread doesn't veer too much off topic) compared to London or Paris - whats the public transport (bus/tram/metro and taxi) like for wheelchair users?

Thanks for your input.

A list of wheelchair accessible coffeeshops would be a good idea.
Also some mention of how helpful the staff are would be good too.
Coffeeshops like Grey Area are just too small even if they are on the ground floor.
From what I recall
HomeGrown Fantasy looks accessible
Prix Dimi would be difficult as there is the turnstile unless it can be moved back to allow access
420 should be OK
Basjoes seemed accessible and roomy enough inside
and Mellow Yellow too.


FF

[DaveS]

I remember seeing wheelchairs in Amnesia - great friendly staff there anyway, plus you could take a seat outside on the terrace (if it's not too cold).

I'm sure I saw the staff in 420 helping someone in through the front doors as well - As has already been said, the decent shops will always try and help their customers, disabled or not. The ones who don't care, don't deserve your business!

[Marco]

The trams are generally wheel chair accessible. Buses also.

I would be happy to do what I can to help during your visit, assuming I am not traveling for work.

Of course, its a tough city no doubt. They do have set ups to convert the chair to a bike, using your hands.

PM me if I can help.

[davidw]

Amsterdam is super un-wheel chair friendly in the sense that the buildings are often absurdly narrow, and most places don't have lifts.

Buildings were built when they were built, and at the time of building there was a reason they were built as such (i seem to recall in this specific example there was a taxation which led to the design) - add to that heritage and antiquity [and me committing 'disabled hereasy' by not wanting every building to somehow magically defy all physics law's this side of Harry Potter and suddenly expand to fit] and I don't have a big issue with it all . There are places i'm never ever going to get into - ed of.

Its much more about setting my expectations, having a solid idea of "whats pointless" and whats not, so that i don't spend half my battery getting to somewhere that could never accommodate me

Are you trying to avoiding being in a situation where you're asking people to help you? I have a friend in a wheelchair and I know he's not so into it

There is a little bit of that in it, sure - but its much more about me being able to ask questions and get answers first hand. I want education as much as fun and hopefully a little medical relief.

[Soulboy]

maybe we start a list of shops which dont have their bud-bar in the ground floor?

I start with:
Rokerij (I dont know which one, will search for it later)

Katsu too... but i think they will be glad to help you bringing stuff upstairs if you're coming with weelchair...

btw, Drampkring on Haarlemstrat could be difficult for you due to stairs for access to the tables/sits...

in some of the "most rated (hated for barney's ^^)" coffeeshops i don't think there is problems for you i see at least:
Mellow Yellow / Noon, Homegrow Fantasy, Paradox (just 2 steps on a large door for access), La Tertulia (you can sit at entrance if i remeber correctly), Barney's Farm...

[Marco]

maybe we start a list of shops which dont have their bud-bar in the ground floor?

I start with:
Rokerij (I dont know which one, will search for it later)

Katsu too... but i think they will be glad to help you bringing stuff upstairs if you're coming with weelchair...

btw, Drampkring on Haarlemstrat could be difficult for you due to stairs for access to the tables/sits...

in some of the "most rated (hated for barney's ^^)" coffeeshops i don't think there is problems for you i see at least:
Mellow Yellow / Noon, Homegrow Fantasy, Paradox (just 2 steps on a large door for access), La Tertulia (you can sit at entrance if i remeber correctly), Barney's Farm...

The Katsu bud bar is downstairs currently. There is a big table near the door, I would consider Katsu wheelchair friendly.

[PorgaLily]

Good thread, DavidW. I also joined to find answers to this very question

Your chair sounds wicked. I'm stuck with a boring manual one, which i'm not allowed to drive myself!! Was supposed to be a transit (four titchy wheels and no control) but I became 'overly anxious' about being stolen, just wheeled away and we had to switch to a manual (two big, two small wheels) - no different really but the appearence of independence is the closest i can get! And the ride is smoother, which leads me to add an appendix to this Q......

Which coffeeshops (of the wh/ch accessable variety) can be reached over smooth ground (not cobbled!!!! For me bumps = damage - not the good kind) and are within 10 mins slowish wheel/walk of Herengracht (halfway betwixt Siberie and Amnesia)? (And allow
tobacco mixing - cannot afford to choke; ribs break or dislocate or the discs can get forced from my spine etc etc)
Phew! Sorry that is so complicated - might end up reiterating in a separate thread.

Thanks in advance for those faithful tokers who might be informed well enough to come up with an answer to this ridiculous quandry

[davidw]

Good thread, DavidW. I also joined to find answers to this very question

Your chair sounds wicked. I'm stuck with a boring manual one, which i'm not allowed to drive myself!! Was supposed to be a transit (four titchy wheels and no control) but I became 'overly anxious' about being stolen, just wheeled away and we had to switch to a manual (two big, two small wheels) - no different really but the appearence of independence is the closest i can get! And the ride is smoother, which leads me to add an appendix to this Q......

Which coffeeshops (of the wh/ch accessable variety) can be reached over smooth ground (not cobbled!!!! For me bumps = damage - not the good kind) and are within 10 mins slowish wheel/walk of Herengracht (halfway betwixt Siberie and Amnesia)? (And allow
tobacco mixing - cannot afford to choke; ribs break or dislocate or the discs can get forced from my spine etc etc)
Phew! Sorry that is so complicated - might end up reiterating in a separate thread.

Thanks in advance for those faithful tokers who might be informed well enough to come up with an answer to this ridiculous quandry

For me an attendant / transit* isn't the fear of being "wheeled away" its the "stick him somewhere and leave him" (which happens in hospitals!!!) - but thats hopelessly off topic!

The quandary isn't ridiculous, and once HighSpeed1 re-open the lifts at Ebbsfleet (a brand new station has all its lifts taken out of service for 6 months, and the operators that use it dont add extra stops at Ashford to cater.... humm i'm drifting again) I have a few day fact finding mission ready and waiting......

*incase your wondering wheelchairs come in 3 major types
Self Propel - Manual but the poor git in it has a chance of moving by one self - the sterotypical one.

Attendent / Transit - shopping trolly with a seat (and usually bad casters to match) (think pushing granny round oldies home... or NHS porter style

Power - fine as long you dont run out of power, break a motor.... oh and have a way of getting the thing from a to b - like a big car or van - cos these thing aint light!!