Thirty years ago, Rita Ebel was in a car accident that left her with incomplete paralysis. While she can walk short distances, she uses a wheelchair for most of her mobility. Frustrated by how many shops and cafes in her hometown of Hanau, Germany, were inaccessible, Rita decided to take matters into her own hands.
Inspired by Corinna Huber designer of the first LEGO ramp - Rita completed her first build in 2019.
Rita turned to social media for donations. Within days, a generous supporter sent her two large boxes of bricks. Soon, so many people wanted to help that she ran out of space to store them. Luckily, her landlord stepped in and offered her a second basement room to house her growing LEGO collection.
Since then, Rita has built more than 140 ramps and earned international recognition for her creativity and advocacy. Ramps 146 and 147 are currently being built with local schoolchildren, and she recently took part in an event in Hong Kong aiming for a world record. Her ramps are now an acknowledged tourist attraction in Hanau.
From sweet shops and breweries to pet stores and cafes, Rita is proving that accessibility can be both functional and fun - making Hanau, and the world, more inclusive, one brick at a time.
Photo: Rita, Die Legooma
