August 2024 will be a time of celebration and excitement for Paris. This is because they were awarded the hosting rights for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. Amidst all the cheers and merry ambience, Michael Jeremiasz, the 2008 tennis gold medalist was invited to a conference to mark the one-year countdown to the 2024 paralympics. However, the remarks he made left the world, including Paris, something to mull over. Youcef Bounab in his article ‘Paris eyes better accessibility for disabled people with Paralympics one year away’ quotes what Jeremiasz brought to everyone’s attention:
“We will remember the opening ceremonies that will be extraordinary and hopefully all the medals of our French Olympic and Paralympic athletes.We will remember a big celebration. In my opinion, that’s not enough. … It’s great but it doesn’t last. Afterwards, life and the constraints of daily life take over”
He also believes that this will be a good opportunity for France to re-imagine their cities so that they are made more inclusive and accessible. However, with only one year to go, the French capital is in a predicament owing to its lack of accessibility of its public transit system. With only one subway line totally accessible out of 16, the city is pressed to seek solutions. Especially because the city is expected to receive 350,000 visitors with disabilities.
Even though French President Emmanuel Macron announced 1.5 billion euros in funding to improve accessibility in public spaces across the country (after France was found in violation of a European treaty concerning social and economic rights in relation to people with disabilities, by the Council of Europe), in the month of April, many are still left disappointed as the majority of the efforts will not focus on making the metro system accessible.
While Paris is currently in the spotlight because it is under pressure to restructure public spaces in order to make sure the hosting of the paralympics flows smoothly, this issue of inaccessibility is not something that is limited to an isolated region.
Saying no to exclusivity
Many of us do not realise the gravity of the lack of accessibility unless or otherwise it knocks on our doors. Therefore, in today’s context, it is increasingly crucial to establish environments where everyone, regardless of factors like age, race, abilities, or disabilities, can thrive. To ensure genuine advancement and growth within a nation, it becomes essential to give equal importance to economic progress and social fairness. This entails a commitment to inclusivity, guaranteeing that nobody is overlooked while striving for a more promising tomorrow.
There are straightforward approaches to enhance the safety, accessibility, and inclusiveness of buildings, neighbourhoods, and public areas for people with disabilities.
Ramps and curb cuts
One way of doing so is by installing ramp and curb cuts. By incorporating ramps and curb cuts, individuals with disabilities can navigate public spaces with ease and security. These seemingly minor yet impactful enhancements not only create a more considerate and compassionate environment for all but also bring about a significantly positive impact on the lives of those who frequently face challenges in their daily routines.
On July 26 2023, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) completed its 33rd trup around the sun. Over these past years, this significant piece of civil rights legislation has enabled people with disabilities to engage with public spaces and be active members of their communities in ways that were previously impossible. Despite the country having to go a long way in terms of making most spaces inclusive, this legislation has served some purpose in the battle. This is also significant because it is a fine example of how the intervention of laws and policies are necessary to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
For instance, one of the key advantages of the ADA is the inclusion of curb ramps at intersections where sidewalks meet crosswalks. Additionally, buses equipped with ramps, lifts, or accessible boarding platforms offer advantages beyond assistive mobility devices, demonstrating how the ADA’s provision can positively impact a diverse range of individuals.
Accessible parking spaces
Designated parking spaces allocated for individuals with disabilities, often known as “accessible parking bays” also known as disability parking, or wheelchair parking in common usage, play a vital role. These spots ensure that people facing mobility constraints, health issues, or other difficulties can safely reach community establishments, shopping centres, businesses, and essential services.
Braille signage
This permits people with visual impairments to navigate public environments with less challenges. Braille signs have become indispensable tools for ensuring accessibility and providing crucial information to people with visual impairments. ADA mandates the use of braille signs in specific public areas to enable visually impaired individuals to navigate buildings and comprehend their surroundings.
With the ageing population and a growing number of people with visual impairments, braille signs have gained increasing significance. The National Federation of the Blind reports an estimated 7.6 million visually impaired individuals in the United States alone, with this number projected to double by 2030. Consequently, braille signage plays a vital role in ensuring equal access for visually impaired individuals to public spaces, making it an essential aspect of inclusivity that businesses need to prioritise.
Making public spaces accessible
Greece has taken a remarkable step by transforming nearly 300 beaches into wheelchair-friendly environments, achieved through the implementation of the Seatrac system- a Greek innovation designed to grant independent sea access to individuals with mobility challenges. This allows individuals to use a remote control to navigate a specially designed chair into the sea, allowing them to transition from the shore into the water, where they can either remain seated or swim if they are able. The process of returning is done by the person gliding back up from the beach and repositioning themselves in the chair.
Complementing the Seatrac system, Greece’s Ministry of Tourism aims to ensure comprehensive beach accessibility. This initiative encompasses the introduction of crucial amenities such as accessible parking, restroom and changing facilities, ramps, pathways to sun loungers, and refreshment bars, further enhancing the overall beach experience for everyone.
A similar development was recorded in Australia. The publishing of research which highlighted the lack of access to beaches, a frequently visited destination in the country, pushed authorities to take measures. Accessible Beaches Australia, a registered non-profit organisation established in 2016, along with the Accessible Beaches Network, has played a pivotal role in advocating for accessibility across Australia’s 300 patrolled beaches.
Through their dedicated campaigns, they have significantly heightened awareness about the importance of beach accessibility. Their initiatives have garnered more community backing and exerted pressure on local councils and clubs to take decisive steps toward greater inclusivity.
As a result of these collective endeavours, there has been notable investment in essential infrastructure enhancements. This includes the introduction of facilities such as accessible changing rooms and toilets, designated accessible parking, the installation of beach matting, and the provision of beach wheelchairs at select patrolled beaches. These improvements mark significant strides in ensuring that beaches are welcoming and accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The solutions mentioned here barely scratches the surface. From public spaces to workplaces to private spaces to education, accessibility is a need, not an option. What is important is that all these measures should actively encourage the narrative of inclusion for people with disabilities and not view it as charity or pity but as the right thing to do. In other words, as fulfilling a fundamental human right.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)