“I think it’s nonsense and life-threatening,” responds Jiska Goudsblom (53) from Alkmaar to the latest proposal from the municipality. They expect her to go with her wheelchair between the parked cars to the other side of the Cressantlaan, because the sidewalk is wider there. After the refurbishment, only 88 centimeters of width remained of her ‘own’ sidewalk. That was more than two meters before that.
“It started in 2017,” says Jiska. “Then there were plans for the refurbishment and we also went to residents’ evenings and such. We immediately indicated that we did not want certain things because of the wheelchairs.”
In the Hoefplan district, where Jiska lives, there are several adapted homes for the elderly and disabled people. There were wide sidewalks that provided enough space for wheelchairs and walkers to pass. This is no longer the case, as can be seen in the report by media partner Alkmaar Central.
The bell has been rung since the first plans, but no one seems to have heard that bell, with the current result as a result. “Of course you object and some cases were picked up, but very many were not.”
“And then it became quiet and the project leader left. A new one came, but we never heard anything about it. We emailed a lot and asked whether accessibility for the disabled could be tested. But we never got a response to that The fourth project leader is now active,” Jiska sighs.
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“It feels a bit like a slap in the face,” says Jiska about all the effort and time that has now been put into it. “Apparently I don’t count, and neither do my neighbors. Look at my old neighbors who like to go outside with the walker, but don’t even come around the corner.”
“There is a UN resolution in which the rights of people with a disability are laid down. The municipality says it considers it of paramount importance. Only you don’t see any of that reflected in the elaboration,” concludes Jiska.