First 50 days: Accessible streets for everyone
After almost one month in the Netherlands it is impressive to see how accessible the streets are for people with special needs. Everywhere. Coming from a country where people constantly park in front of pavement ramps designed for a wheelchair, that was a pleasant surprise.
The infrastructure really contributes to their mobility as they can use bicycle lanes to move throughout the city on special vehicles, giving them access to almost everyplace. I have seen people doing their groceries, shopping for clothes, going for coffee, going to a class…That is leading a normal life. Which of course is a given!
But unfortunately, back in Greece people in similar condition are condemned to stay at home and even a simple afternoon out with friends feels like a hassle. There is hardly any room left for wheelchairs, as most pavements are occupied by cars and motorcycles.
In other words, although many buildings have special accessibility provisions, people with wheelchairs can never make it there! As a result, these people often feel discouraged to do even the simplest things such as going to the supermarket or getting on with their studies. Their disability turns into incapability.
No wonder then that the ‘politically correct’ phrase for people with wheelchairs in Greece is’people with mobility problems’…
[Katerina Petropoulou (25) is a student Business Communication and Digital Media at Tilburg University and writes the First 50 Days blog for Univers.]
