Accessibility Information

At the Queer Center, we are working to break down our barriers. We are progressing slowly. On the one hand, because some accessibility improvements require time and money. On the other hand, because we are still learning and practicing in many areas. We welcome your feedback on how the Queer Center can become more accessible for you. Whether you walk, roll, or lie down a lot; whether you speak with your mouth, your hands, or a speech computer, and whatever your first language is; whatever your neurotype is or whatever senses you use to perceive your surroundings and how intensely you perceive them—our goal is for you to feel welcome at the Queer Center. Until that happens, we keep learning and changing.

Sensory stimuli

The Queer Center can sometimes be a little chilly in winter, as the large rooms take a while to heat up. If you feel the cold easily, feel free to bring an extra sweater. We have blankets, hot water bottles, and kettles.

We have colorful pictures and flags on many of the walls, colorful decorations, and two pink walls. Some rooms have fewer visual stimuli.

The Queer Center is located in the city center. Nevertheless, our rooms are rather quiet. Sometimes you can hear quiet noises from the surrounding apartments or from the street. Sometimes you can hear an intense deep humming noise from weightlifters in the gym in the same building.

There is a room for retreat at the Queer Center. It is sometimes used as a counseling room. Counseling sessions rarely take place during other events.

The restrooms are usually stocked with unscented soap.

We have a collection of stimming toys and skills at the Queer Center. Feel free to ask us if you would like to use any of them.

Allergies

Animals are rarely present at the Queer Center. For various reasons, people may sometimes bring their animals with them (including service animals, for example). In this case, we ask that you let us know in advance so that we can inform everyone that animals will be present at the Queer Center. We also ask that people use our allergy-friendly vacuum cleaner to remove animal hair afterwards.

We have two air purifiers with HEPA filters. These can be used for events and group meetings.

There are often various snacks available at meetings at the Queer Center. Please let us know in advance if you have any allergies, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Join us online

We sometimes meet in person at the Queer Center, sometimes entirely online, and sometimes in a hybrid format. The Queer Center has a 360° camera with a microphone so that group meetings and plenary sessions can comfortably be held in a hybrid format. If you would like to join us online, please get in touch.

Alcohol and similar substances (see etiquette)

The Queer Center is a smoke-free place. E-cigarettes, joints, hookahs, pipes, and other smoking products (e.g., incense sticks) are not permitted.

Alcohol may only be consumed at the Queer Center by prior arrangement. If alcohol is served at an event, we will indicate this at the entrance.

No illegal substances may be consumed at the Queer Center.

Structural barriers

There are no handrails or tactile guidance systems in the Queer Center or in the hallway. We make sure that there are wide, clear paths everywhere, especially in the hallway and in the large room. There are no induction loops in the Queer Center.
The elevator door opens 80 cm wide. All other doors and corridors are wider.

There is a heavy door without an automatic door opener in the underground car park and on the ground floor. We are happy to come down to open the door. There is a bell on the ground floor. If you ring the bell three consecutive times, someone will come down. Please let us know in advance if you would like to come via the underground car park. We will then give you the phone number of the person responsible.

You can take the elevator to the 5th floor. The elevator door opens 80 cm wide. All other doors are wider. On the 5th floor, go left through a glass door and follow the long hallway to the end. The hallway makes two turns until you reach the Queer Center. Our door is open during events and opening hours. It is sometimes closed during group meetings. In that case, please ring the bell.

Would you prefer not to take the elevator? Unfortunately, the stairwell has recently been closed off. There is a second stairwell that we can use. Someone must always be available to open an intermediate door on the second floor. Please let us know in advance if you would like to use this option—we will provide you with information about the stairwell and a contact person.

There are three toilet rooms in the Queer Center, each with a sitting toilet and a sink. All toilets are open to all genders. The front toilet room is spacious and equipped with an emergency call button and support handles. Here, the toilet is 52 cm high and the sink is 87 cm high. The other toilet rooms are rather small and narrow. Here, the sinks are 87 cm high. The toilets are 42 cm high.

We have a changing mat. It is stored in the rear bathroom.

There is no shower.

How to get here

Are you coming by bus or train?
The Mauerstraße bus stop is right outside the door in one direction. In the other direction, it is 50 meters away. The route is slightly uphill.
The Königsplatz tram stop is 200 meters away. The route is slightly uphill.
Kassel Central Station is 800 meters away. The route is slightly downhill.
Would you like to be picked up at the stop? Let us know in advance when and where you will be arriving.

Are you coming by car?
There is an underground car park in the same building, but parking is subject to a charge.
You can sometimes park for free on the parallel street.