Paris 2024 Paralympics: Disability Access
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
According to APF France Handicap, more needs to be done to facilitate access to the Paris Metro during the Paralympic Games, which take place from 28 August until 8 September, and the Charity has stated that this was “absolutely scandalous!”
Only one of the 16 Metro lines is fully wheel-chair accessible, with lifts and ramps.
French wheelchair users described the situation as a source of “shame” as some 350,000 disabled fans are expected to visit the Games.
The President of the International Paralympic Committee, Andrew Parsons, appreciated the “frustration” but pointed out the “massive investment” that has been made in the City’s accessible buses, some €125 million, and taxis.
It should be noted that, before Paris was awarded the Games in 2017, the organisers stated that they had placed accessibility at the centre of their bid and promised “accessible infrastructure and attitudes befitting the most visited country on Earth.”
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
