1. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................................................................................................................................................. Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

2. European Disability Forum: an independent NGO representing 80 million persons with disabilities in the EU Umbrella organisation: more than 100 members (national councils; national and European NGOs) Represents all types of disabilities Secretariat in Brussels “Nothing about us without us” Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015 Introduction – Who are we? ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): First international human right treaty of the 21 st century Adopted by UN in 2006 EU ratified the Convention in 2010; so have Turkey and all Western Balkan states Obligation to implement! Powerful legislative tool to support the rights of persons with disabilities in the EU Background …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

4. Persons with disabilities are citizens with rights as everybody else Not the persons is the problem - the environment creates barriers! Aim: full inclusion in the community (education, employment, citizenship, culture, leisure, sport….) Encourage dialogue and involvement of representative organizations Strengthen local organisations and use their expertise Inclusive approach …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

5. -Transport accessibility as “enabler”: better inclusion in society, more independence! -Transport as a chain: urban design, stations, vehicles, staff…  collaboration is important! -If it is accessible for persons with disabilities, it is easier and more comfortable to use for everyone (tourists who don’t speak the language, families with small children, people with heavy luggage, delivery staff….) Transport – why is it important? …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

6. SUMPs are: contributing to a transport system which is accessible and meets the basic mobility needs of all users Providing a strategy for long-term goals Facilitating intermodality and seamless mobility Involving all relevant actors, including citizens However: Guidelines still lack concrete provisions on accessibility for persons with disabilities SUMPs and accessibility …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

7. Accessibility of Infrastructure and stations - bus stops and stations (curbs, step-free access…) - urban environment (pavements, road crossings, parking spaces…) Vehicles - low-floor buses, spaces for wheelchairs, signage…. Information - websites and apps - maps, signage, dynamic displays (e.g. timetables) - ticket machines What are the concrete needs? …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

8. Examples …………………………………………………………………………………… “I use an electric wheelchairs and the trains where I live have very high steps. There is no way I can enter the train independently and I have to request assistance two days in advance. What should I do if I have an urgent meeting for work or if I just feel like going shopping? “More and more services are carried out electronically using machines, especially basic transactions such as buying train tickets. I am deprived of using them as these machines are not accessible for visually impaired people, whereas it is only a question of standardisation, incorporating Braille, a touch screen or speech.” „I am hard of hearing and had to ask the bus driver several times to repeat what he said. He got very aggressive and shouted at me; now I‘m scared to use the bus.“ Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

9. Start planning now – it is cheaper to make designs accessible from the start Getting it right: Consult persons with disabilities systematically both on a local and national level about their needs Use and create accessibility standards Exchange good practices Enforce the rules Not all accessibility features have to be expensive – start with small improvements Don’t forget training and awareness raising What can municipalities do? …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

10. Accessibility is more than just transport, it is about participating in society Accessibility benefits everyone A long-term perspective is needed And of course…. Nothing About Us Without Us Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Accessibility for persons with disabilities means accessibility for all............................................................................ Marie Denninghaus, 8 October 2015

11. Thank you! Teşekkür ederim! Marie Denninghaus Mobility & Transport Officer tel +32 2 286 51 84 | fax +32 2 282 46 09 marie.denninghaus@edf-feph.org - www.edf-feph.org marie.denninghaus@edf-feph.orgwww.edf-feph.org