Una inversión millonaria en accesibilidad y un nuevo modelo de inclusión

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Paris transforms itself for the 2024 Paralympic Games

Paris is preparing to welcome thousands of athletes and visitors from around the world for the 2024 Paralympic Games, to be held from 28 August to 8 September. The city has embarked on an ambitious transformation, investing more than €125 million to improve accessibility and promote inclusion. This is the first time that Paris will host the Paralympic Games, and the authorities are not only looking to live up to the event, but also to leave a lasting mark that will make the French capital a global benchmark for accessibility.

The investment, unprecedented in the city's history, has a dual purpose: to ensure that Paris is fully prepared for the Paralympic Games and to make it a model for other cities around the world. This monumental effort will not only benefit athletes and visitors during the event, but also the more than 185,000 residents with disabilities living in the French capital. The idea is that these changes will have a positive and lasting impact on the daily lives of all Parisians.

Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), has publicly praised these efforts, noting that Paris has made more progress in accessibility in recent years than any other Paralympic host city. ‘Paris has started an inclusion revolution,’ said Parsons. According to him, the changes being made in the city will benefit the entire population, not just people with disabilities.

A city in the midst of transformation

Among the key initiatives is the creation of seventeen enhanced accessibility neighbourhoods, ensuring that essential public services such as medical centres, shops and transport services are only 15 minutes away for any resident, regardless of their mobility. This will not only make daily life easier for people with disabilities, but will also make Paris a friendlier and more accessible city for all.

In terms of transport, one of the biggest challenges for any city that aspires to be inclusive, Paris has made significant improvements. Buses and trams have been adapted to make them fully accessible and 1,000 taxis adapted for people with reduced mobility have been added. In addition, more sound modules have been installed at road junctions to help visually impaired people move around the city more safely.

In education, the city has launched a plan to make all schools accessible by 2030. In addition, it is expected that by 2025, 95% of municipal buildings will meet accessibility standards. These changes will ensure that all children have equal educational opportunities, regardless of their physical abilities.

Sport as a tool for inclusion

In addition to these urban improvements, Paris has also invested more than 10 million euros in making sports facilities more accessible. Six major facilities, such as the Georges Vallerey swimming pool and the Pierre de Coubertin stadium, have been adapted to accommodate disabled athletes. In addition, ‘Inclusive Clubs’ have been created throughout the city, surpassing the initial target of 40 adapted sports clubs by 2024. So far, 44 clubs have been established, demonstrating Paris' commitment to inclusive sport and the promotion of physical activity for all.

Challenges to overcome in transport accessibility

Despite all this progress, not everything is perfect. The Paris metro system remains a weak point in accessibility efforts. Many stations lack lifts and escalators, making them inaccessible to people with reduced mobility. This problem contrasts with the significant progress made in ground transport and underlines the need for continued investment in improving metro infrastructure.

Parsons, while praising the progress made so far, acknowledged that much remains to be done. ‘We have seen great progress, but there are still challenges ahead. We have to keep working to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their mobility needs, can fully enjoy Paris,’ he concluded.

Ultimately, Paris is undergoing an impressive transformation of its infrastructure and services to ensure that the 2024 Paralympic Games will be a resounding success. But beyond the sporting event, the city is taking this opportunity to redefine what it means to be a truly inclusive city. The steps taken so far are promising, but the road to full accessibility is still a work in progress.