Accessibility

For information on digital accessibility at KBB, see here. 

HKW is working on breaking down existing barriers and developing inclusive offerings, both digitally and on site. In doing so, we want to actively contribute to enabling all people to participate equally in community and cultural life.

Below is an overview on accessible transport to and from HKW, accessibility within the building, inclusion provisions, and anti-discrimination policies.

For further information on KBB’s diversity and inclusion policies, see here. 

For help planning your visit, feel free to contact education@hkw.de.

The U5 and 100 bus are the most direct, barrier-free forms of transport to HKW: 

• The U5 brings you to the ‘Bundestag’ stop and has lift access. From there, one can head westward to reach the step-free Nawal El Saadawi Entrance or the Sharmila Rage Entrance by the restaurant on the Spree side. 

• The 100 bus brings you to the ‘Haus der Kulturen der Welt’ stop located directly in front of HKW on John-Foster-Dulles-Allee. Both front entrances, the Itō Noe Entrance (located on the left) and Ika Hügel-Marshall Entrance (located on the right), have step-free access. 

An overview of the accessibility of different transportation services in Berlin can be found at the BVG website.

For more information on how to get to HKW, please go to the Visit page.

There are two accessible parking spaces in front of Ika Hügel-Marshall Entrance on the right of the building. Another is next to the gate on the east side of the building.

Both front entrances, the Ika Hügel-Marshall Entrance and the Itō Noe Entrance, have wheelchair-accessible intercom systems and are step-free. Two other barrier-free entrances are located on the east side of the building, the Nawal El Saadawi Entrance, and on the Spree side of the building the Sharmila Rege Entrance, which also has automatic doors.

Restaurant Weltwirtschaft has barrier-free access only via the Sharmila Rege Entrance located on the Spree side of the building. Barrier-free passage from the Itō Noe Entrance to Restaurant Weltwirtschaft is possible by taking the lift in the Sylvia Wynter Foyer down one floor to the Angie Stardust Foyer and continuing through the Bessie Head Foyer. Barrier-free access to the roof terrace is only possible by taking the lift off the Nawal El Saadawi Entrance next to the reception (Empfang).

Wheelchairs and folding chairs are available in the Sylvia Wynter Foyer.

Restrooms for everyone with step-free access are located inside the building near the Sharmila Rege Entrance, near the Nawal El Saadawi Entrance, and adjacent to the Magnus Hirschfeld Bar.

A floor guidance system leads from the ‘Haus der Kulturen der Welt’ bus stop (100 bus) to the Itō Noe Entrance. Outside this entrance, a display offers orientation about the architecture and layout of the building through braille, strong visual contrasts, and a tactile model. Inside the building, glass doors are labelled with safety markings. The lifts are equipped with braille panels. 

Audio introductions are available for major exhibitions and links can be found on hkw.de under the calendar dates for the respective exhibition.

Short introductions to major exhibitions are available in sign language and links can be found on hkw.de under the calendar dates for the respective exhibition.

Selected events in the programme are interpreted in International Sign Language and/or in German Sign Language (DGS). 

 

The signage throughout HKW, exhibition and event texts, as well as accompanying materials and books are generally bilingual, in German and English. For events not held in German or English, simultaneous translation into German and/or English is usually offered.

There are introductory texts in Easy Read format accompanying major exhibitions; links can be found on hkw.de under the calendar dates for the respective exhibition.

In, around, and associated with Haus der Kulturen der Welt there is no space for hate speech or hate actions of any kind. There is no space for ableism, ageism, anti-Semitism, gender discrimination, homophobia, Islamophobia,, racism, sexism, transphobia, xenophobia, and the like. HKW shall be a space in which love, respect, and generosity are realized through daily practice.  

All participants in HKW programmes and activities are called upon to treat each other with respect. To offer guests, partners, and employees a space that is as free of discrimination as possible, HKW, as part of KBB, reserves the right to exercise its house rules in the event of discrimination or harassment and to deny those involved participation in KBB events.

If you have experienced or observed discrimination at one of our events, as a service provider, or as a cooperation partner, and would like to report it, please contact: info-diversity@hkw.de.

If you have experienced discrimination as an applicant, employee or in a position similar to that of an employee, you can submit a complaint via the complaints office in accordance with Section 13 (1) of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) at: KBB.AGG.Beschwerdestelle@kbb.eu.

At some events, an Awareness Team is on site to support visitors and colleagues in dealing with discrimination. Members of this team listen anonymously and and offer confidential advice on how to proceed. Please note that the Awareness Team does not offer psychological counselling. If you have any questions regarding the Awareness Team, contact: info-diversity@hkw.de.  

 

Visitors who are holders of mark B disability cards and comparable international IDs are entitled to reduced ticket prices for all events and a free ticket for a companion. You can get your tickets by calling +49 (0) 30 263 97 100.

 

HKW is committed to improving all facets of accessibility; your feedback is welcome. We appreciate your questions and suggestions; get in touch via: barrierefrei@hkw.de or +49 (0) 30 397 87 175.