Cultural Guide

The severely disabled person’s pass is valid everywhere in Germany. It is the same in all federal states. The severely disabled person’s pass is proof of a person’s disability. With this card, people with a disability or chronic illness can receive certain compensation for disadvantages. And they can claim their rights as a disabled person. What are compensations for disadvantages?
For example: free travel on local public transport or discounts on admission fees.
The degree of disability is stated on the ID card. It is given as a percentage. The abbreviation for this is GdB.
There are also certain markings on the ID card. Some of them are explained here.

These signs can be important for cultural participation:

B – This symbol stands for accompanying person. It means that the disabled person is dependent on an accompanying person. Therefore, the accompanying person of people with a “B” on their disabled person’s pass has free or reduced admission to many cultural institutions.

aG – This sign stands for exceptionally disabled. People with this sign can apply for a parking permit for people with disabilities. With this parking permit, you can park in disabled parking spaces. These parking spaces are often in the immediate vicinity of cultural venues or public buildings and squares. They are wider than average parking spaces. This means there is enough space to get in and out.

H, Bl and TBl – These symbols stand for helpless (H), blind (Bl) and deaf-blind (TBl). People whose disability cards contain these symbols can apply for a token. With this token, people with disabilities can use local public transport free of charge.

RF – This symbol stands for radio/television. People whose disability pass contains this symbol can apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee. The broadcasting fee is explained in more detail below.

Some people need help in everyday life, at work or in their leisure time due to their illness or disability. These people have the option of receiving assistance. In other words, a helping person who supports them at certain times or throughout the day. Whether you are entitled to assistance depends on your disability and the degree of your disability. You can get advice on this topic. There are many different advice centers for this. There you will find support in applying for assistance. You can also find out about other forms of assistance.

Some people have very little money available in their everyday lives. In many German cities, these people can apply for a special ID card. This card has a different name in each city. In Cologne it is called the “Köln-Pass”, in Berlin it is called the “Berlin-Ticket S” and so on.

This card gives you discounted access to various cultural, leisure and educational activities. For example, discounted admission to museums, swimming pools and theater performances. In most cases, you have to apply for this card from your city. Sometimes you receive it automatically. You can check on the Internet to see if there is such a card in your city. Search terms for this are, for example: “pass, concession, the name of your city”.
To apply for such a card, you usually have to prove that you have little money at your disposal.

If you are traveling by public transport in Germany, there are a few things to bear in mind. Public transport is divided into local and long-distance transport.

Public transport consists of buses and trains that take you from one stop to the next within your city. The accessibility of local public transport varies greatly. You can find out about this on the websites of the local transport companies. There you will also find route maps and departure times.

Would you like to travel from one city to another? Then in most cases you will have to travel by train or long-distance bus.

If you are traveling by train, you can search for the train connection on the Deutsche Bahn website or in the app: https://www.bahn.de/

There are regional trains, Intercity trains (IC) and the Intercity Express (ICE). Many regional trains are wheelchair accessible. Most Intercity (IC) trains and all Intercity Express (ICE) trains can only be reached via steps. Do you need help boarding your train? For example in the form of a ramp? Then you must register this in advance. The application must be received by the Mobility Service Center (MSZ) by 8 p.m. on the day before your journey. You can do this by telephone, fax, e-mail or using an online form. You can find all further information here:
https://www.bahn.de/service/individuelle-reise/barrierefrei/reiseplanung-und-beratung

Not all train stations in Germany are barrier-free. You should therefore check before you start your journey: Are the stations you want to use barrier-free for you? You can check this in the “Bahnhof Live” app. Or on this website: https://www.bahnhof.de/suche

The following accessibility aspects are noted there:

• Step-free access
• Platform height >55cm
• train indicator
• loudspeaker system
• tactile handrail signs
• high-contrast signage
• Staircase step markings
• the functionality of the elevators at the station

Long-distance coaches are often a cheaper alternative to traveling by train. There are many different companies that offer long-distance bus travel. The best-known company is Flixbus. You can search for a suitable route on the Flixbus website.

Long-distance buses are generally not accessible for people in wheelchairs, as there are a few steps to negotiate at the entrance.

In Germany, everyone has to pay the broadcasting fee. The contribution is for the use of radio, television and the Internet. This fee is used to finance the public media.

This fee is always paid for one household. So if several people live together as a family or shared flat, they only have to pay the broadcasting fee once. The fee is currently €18.36 per month.

There are people who do not have to pay this fee. For example, people with little money. Or deaf-blind people. If you do not have to pay the contribution, you must apply for an exemption from the obligation to pay the broadcasting contribution. You will have to prove that you have little money at your disposal.

People with disabilities who have the “RF” mark on their disability pass. These people receive a reduction. They have to pay less of the license fee. The reduction must be applied for.

The exemption or reduction can be applied for on this website: https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen_und_buerger/formulare/befreiung_oder_ermaessigung_beantragen/index_ger.html