“The accessibility map is a great tool.” Ana Mengíbar concludes this, although the group she represents, Queremos Movernos, claims that the evaluation of the itineraries “contain all the details” because “for example, Santa Cruz has routes that may be accessible, but with the pavement destroyed. They agree with us, but they are never fixed; an example is the buried containers of the scepter. Homework remains, but this is a good starting point.”
On the one hand, Mengíbar assesses, “it helps municipalities to continue managing accessibility” and, on the other, “it covers the need for information so that people with disabilities can move with the certainty of visiting areas or taking routes that will not be interrupted.”
Regarding the management of the municipalities, for a later incorporation to the map, he considers that “rigor must be demanded in the actions and what is practicable or passable is not valid”.
He understands that “the Cabildo has to demand conditions of universal accessibility, adjusted to the regulations. And, of course, inspect the area with our own technicians. He adds: “It would not be the first time that a city council considers a work as good, putting it as an accessible adjective and nothing is further from reality.” That is why he reduces the percentage of accessibility in the streets, squares and parks of the 31 municipalities of the Island to just 20%.
He gives more examples such as Arona, which received the Reina Sofía Award “but only the coast is accessible”. In the mobility of people, to the possibility of knowing other municipalities and enjoying them, “it is a very powerful tool.” The Cabildo, he proposes, “should include, if it does not have it, the bus lines or other means of transport.” Mengíbar emphasizes: “Moving around the Island without difficulty is good for the resident and also for the tourist with a disability.”
“We believe that it is a wise step and that is why we ask for a lot of rigor and demanding compliance with the standard,” concludes Ana Mengíbar as spokesperson for the group.
