Mastodawn

First hurdle ✅
The Elevator in Aachen Rothe Erde train station is operational.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Second hurdle ❌
The doors to #Euregiobahn RB20 are not entirely level access, I had to lug the packed dolly over a significant gap.
Same on exit.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Third hurdle ❌
Boarded #ICE16 with even more trouble than the previous RB20. The gap is too big for my dolly wheels and the stairs don't help.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Fourth hurdle ❔
The dolly handle compresses, still it doesn't entirely fit the luggage compartment While packed. Looks like #DB isn't a proper Spezi transport company... yet. I hope nobody minds the wheels.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Lunch time.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Fifth hurdle ❔
The gap is even worse than where I got on in Aachen Central due to the curved platform. Guess I could've asked for mobility help as the Brits getting off after me did, so giving this one a ❔.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Sixth hurdle ✅
Elevator from platform to ground level is well indicated with signage and working. However it does not take me to the underground metro station.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Seventh hurdle ❌
Friends from HSBXL advice me there is an elevator at Osseghem Meetup station, so I decide to take the Metro. Maybe I'm oblivious to something but I found it impossible to find an elevator down to the Metro, so I took an escalator with hello from a friendly local. On the first sublevel where you check into public transport, I finally spot the elevator. My credit card refuses to be used to check in, so I buy some paper.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Eighth hurdle ✅
The Metro number 2 is almost level and I can get on just using the dolly wheels despite the small gap. Same experience getting off at Osseghem. I'll give this one a pass.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Ninth hurdle ❌
The advertised elevator exists... but is out of service for maintenance from *today* of all days. Taking my chances with another escalator...
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Tenth hurdle ✅
The streets of Brussels are almost level between Osseghem and HSBXL and I can cross without issues. I was about to get stuck between some bins when a garbage truck drifts around the corner and clears the way right in front of me.
#FOSDEM #MatrixSpezifikation #SpUG #Spezi #HSBXL #a11y

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Har-Har Links Jan 29

Bonus round ✅
Finay arriving at HSBXL, they have an accessible entrance obviously indicated with chalk on the floor. 😊

This was an interesting experience. Accessibility sucks, I got kinda stuck in like half of the steps here. This isn't unexpected to me, as I read about a11y on here every now and then. The situation could certainly be improved.

In case this info may be of use to you in the future, the STIB/MIVB app has info about which elevators are operational. The UI is a nightmare to figure out but you tap the line number you need to take, pick your station and then swipe to the "info" tab. There you can find info. It's not 100% reliable because sometimes issues haven't been reported yet though.

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Har-Har Links Feb 2

@EchteNachtraaf thanks for sharing! I'm sure there are resources to cover the cases I called failed. I also happened to know that I can look up the likely status of German station elevators on bahnhof.de. An issue I felt here was that a11y isn't natural and obvious; not even the workarounds are, e.g. how to get a ramp deployed. I tried several maps apps, both nerdy OSM and very consumer apple, to find elevators to the Metro in Midi.

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Har-Har Links Feb 2

@EchteNachtraaf I would expect to see a button in apple maps routing to enable a11y and it will calculate based on working elevators at metro stations e.g. not Osseghem.

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Fruity Mercury

@HarHarLinks absolutely, and I agree that as it stands, accessibility sucks and most companies could do much better!

I wasn't trying to minimise the very real issues you described either because I agree whole-heartedly, just trying to add some potentially helpful or useful info.