Christel Verbogt (24) from Halsteren has a weak resistance and is therefore in a wheelchair. Thanks to the relaxation of the corona measures, she can finally have a snack or a drink again, but many catering establishments are not accessible to her. Christel wants to make entrepreneurs aware of this problem: “They then respond that they never see anyone in a wheelchair. But then, if I can’t get in here, you’ll never see me here either!”
According to Christel, the solution does not have to be that complicated. A safe plate, which has been tested in advance, can already change that. “That way people like me can go to that one nice drink at work.”
But once you’re inside, there’s another problem: 85 percent of catering establishments don’t have a disabled toilet. “So I have to think about every sip I drink.” Annoying and frustrating, says Christel.
She hopes that catering entrepreneurs will want to think about solutions. For example, one of her favorite restaurants lets her go to the staff toilet.
But Christel experiences many more obstacles. “Often there is no disabled parking space. And inside there are often steps or standing tables! That is of course not possible at all if you are in a wheelchair.”
And it’s not just people in wheelchairs that suffer from this. “The Netherlands has two million people with a disability and there is a lot of aging. Do not let elderly people who have difficulty walking down a steep staircase to the toilet, but that is a situation that you see a lot. And often something as simple as a pram is not taken into account.”
Although she understands that catering establishments have had a lot to do during the corona crisis, she is now drawing attention to accessibility. “Just now that everyone is going back to the catering industry, I also want to be able to join. It is very sour to hear entrepreneurs say that everyone is welcome, because I don’t have that feeling.”
She would love it if entrepreneurs work on accessibility. “Isn’t that what the hospitality industry is about: giving people a good time while enjoying a snack or a drink? Moreover, you immediately have a good business card!”