Athens Municipality Aiming to Make Greek Capital a City Accessible to All

On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated on December 3, the Municipality of Athens announced a number of actions aimed at improving the every life of individuals with disabilities in the city.

“Respect for the right to accessibility and quality of life is achieved only through actions. With every ramp and every project we take steps towards creating a city that embraces all people and makes no exceptions,” Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis said.

Aiming to form a city accessible to all, the municipality has created more ramps in Athens’ neighborhoods including the city center; new parking spaces for the disabled with special signage; and support services.

Municipal sport facilities have also been upgraded with the addition of special infrastructure.

Furthermore, the Municipality of Athens also announced the following:

• a scheme for the maintenance and restoration of sidewalks in the city, which will include the addition of ramps for people with mobility problems
• over 200 signs have been placed on ramps in Athens’ seven municipal districts to prevent illegal parking
• twenty two new parking spaces have been created for vehicles of disabled persons in various parts of the Greek capital
• the Goudi and Kolokynthous swimming pools have been equipped with state-of-the-art lifts and two new wheelchairs
• the Athens Registry Office has been equipped with special audio assistive technology tools to serve citizens with hearing impairment

Moreover, the mayor of Athens and the president of the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (ESAmeA), Ioannis Vardakastanis, in July signed a protocol of cooperation to improve the life of people with disabilities in the capital.