The large halls of the cultural center in Jihlava are now also accessible for wheelchair users

Jihlava – The large halls of the Jihlava House of Culture and Trade Unions (DKO) are now accessible to wheelchair users thanks to a platform and elevator. The investment of approximately 7.5 million crowns was covered by the trade unions that own the building, with the help of a subsidy. DKO manager Petr Palovčík told reporters today. Last year, there were 370 events in the cultural house, which attracted around 90,000 visitors. Additional visitors came for the events of the International Documentary Film Festival.

The House of Culture, built according to the designs of architects Věra and Vladimír Machonin, was opened in 1961. Both halls, the theater and the social hall, were only accessible by stairs. "This was quite a conundrum for organizers. Very often, we resolved it by having security carry people up with their wheelchairs," Palovčík stated. He added that he encountered people who said they do not visit DKO due to these problems.

Architect Karel Janča found a suitable technical solution for the complex interior, and in the second half of last year, the building's owners received a subsidy of 3.6 million crowns for its implementation. The main entrance to the cultural house, which also has stairs, has been supplemented with a wheelchair-accessible ramp. In the foyer, there is a platform that enables people with disabilities to access the elevator, which takes them to the halls and the restrooms. More details are available on the DKO website.

Two young wheelchair users with companions also attended today's presentation of the barrier-free modifications. One of them collects signatures from famous people and visits theaters in various cities, including Prague. "It's much better, it helps," he told ČTK regarding the adaptations in the Jihlava House of Culture. His father mentioned that there are issues at the Lucerna theater in Prague. "There are three floors down, so I have to carry him," he said.

The House of Culture is owned by three trade unions, with the KOVO union holding the largest share. The unions also establish a company that organizes cultural, social, and educational activities there. Events such as concerts and balls are held there as well. The theater hall has 506 seats, and the upper hall can accommodate around 1000 people. Other parts of the building are used by, for example, the tax office.