Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, Challenging but Possible and Certainly a Valuable Investment! Stig Langvad Chairperson of DPOD Executive member of EDF Expert member of the committee under the UN CRPD

It is an obligation (Article 9) “To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas. These measures, which shall include the identification and elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility …” The physical environment, including transport, roads, workplace, ATM, housing and schools Public and private when open to public access/use Develop, implement and monitor standards, guidelines etc Provide various forms of reasonable accommodation to guarantee access/usability

The most cost-effective solution Accessibility aiming at creating possibilities for persons with disabilities to be able to participate in ordinary social activities on their own and when they want is without any doubt the most cost-effective solution for creating an inclusive society with equal opportunities! Acting by yourself is cheap and satisfactory Acting by assistance is on the long term expensive and unsatisfactory Accessibility is to the benefit of many citizens, work environment and it does not hurt anyone

Standards and guidelines It is necessary to decide on a set of mandatory standards and guidelines to secure a minimum level of accessibility The development of standards and guidelines must be done in collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities and through international cooperation (EU, CEN, ISO) The implementation can only be guaranteed through education and exchange of experience across entrepreneurs, architects, engineers, workers etc A very strong monitoring and enforcement mechanism is crucial, and public authorities must play a key role

Policy and plan There will be no success if there are no national policy on securing accessibility to physical environment, transport and communication No more “mistakes” Long-term strategy for eliminating “mistakes” of the past

Must be done It is not just something you have to do It is definitely something that are cheap and cost effective in a long-term perspective