The organisers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris promised improved accessibility for people with disabilities, but non-profit organisations argue that not enough has been done to make navigating the city easier for those with disabilities. Franck Maille, a former para-athlete and representative of APF France Handicap, struggles to navigate the city’s public transport network in his wheelchair. He faces challenges with broken elevators, impatient passengers, and inaccessible metro lines, which can be physically and mentally exhausting. Maille believes that creating an accessible society is taking too long and that disabled individuals are not being considered as human beings.
Improving accessibility was a major promise made by the organisers of the Paris games, known as “The Games for Everyone.” Despite efforts to enhance accessibility, Maille and others feel that more needs to be done and suggest that individuals with disabilities should be consulted for their input. The journey through Paris can be physically demanding due to long distances and mentally taxing as individuals must navigate crowds, traffic, and obstacles. While some modes of transport, like the tram, are fully accessible, others, like the Parisian metro, present significant challenges for individuals with disabilities.
With more than 280,000 people with disabilities expected to visit Paris during the games, the City acknowledges that additional improvements are necessary. While progress has been made, there are still issues with accessibility, particularly in the metro system. Efforts have been made to increase the number of wheelchair-accessible cabs in the city, but further upgrades are required to make the entire metro network accessible. The Paris regional agency is responsible for operating and organising the public transport network, and plans to modernise the metro system over the next 20 years, with a significant financial investment needed.
Activists like Franck Maille hope that the Paralympic Games will serve as a catalyst for broader inclusion for the 12 million people living with disabilities in France. They call upon French authorities to take concrete action to improve accessibility in Paris, rather than simply asking questions. Maille stresses the importance of creating a more accessible society to address the mental distress and isolation experienced by individuals with disabilities. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to ensure that Paris is truly accessible for everyone, regardless of their mobility or disability status.
