The seventh universal accessibility conference organised by the Madrid City Council has commenced, focusing on sharing and showcasing the work carried out by various municipal departments and services in the field of universal accessibility. The event also aims to foster the exchange of experiences among professionals, residents, and social entities.
“Madrid must be accessible to remain true to itself, to the welcoming city it has always been,” emphasised deputy mayor Inma Sanz during the inauguration. She was joined by Paula Gómez Angulo, councillor for Tetuán, David Pérez, councillor for Hortaleza, and Mayte Gallego, president of CERMI Comunidad de Madrid.
The conference, which runs until tomorrow, is organised by the General Directorate of Accessibility of the City Council, under the Vice-Mayor's office, and includes six thematic panels featuring 17 presentations addressing accessibility from various perspectives.
“We will discuss strategy and innovation, public services and quality standards, inclusion and community. Attendees will learn about the experiences of different departments and areas,” Sanz detailed.
The first day included initiatives related to the municipal digital strategy, the first action plan of the Strategic Plan for Universal Accessibility in Madrid (PEAUM), accessible public procurement, accessibility in the Línea Madrid communication channels, and autonomous mobility.
The inaugural conference, titled ‘Accessibility with conviction: transforming perspectives to change the world’, was designed as a participatory experience to reflect on the role each individual plays in building a more accessible, empathetic, and inclusive society. This session featured an immersive journey through various spaces in Madrid, highlighting the importance of accessibility through activities involving blindfolds, earplugs, and illegible text cards.
The second day will cover topics such as cognitive accessibility and neurodiversity, employment inclusion, innovations for accessible cities, and accessibility in parks, libraries, and museums, as well as actions in listed buildings.
This year’s edition coincides with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, addressing accessibility from a rights perspective and underscoring its role as a prerequisite for personal autonomy and civic participation.
The event has attracted over 500 registered participants from various Spanish cities and other Ibero-American countries. The conference is being held in a hybrid format and offers Spanish sign language interpretation, live subtitling, magnetic loops, accessible routes, and reserved parking spaces for holders of mobility-reduced permits.
