Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine January 2022 | Page 48

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Next stop : a transport system accessible for all

by Elena Pappas
People with a disability can look forward to many new advances in technology to make their lives easier while navigating public transport systems , or even crossing the street , thanks to several new initiatives in Europe .
Once known for its matchstick industry , the small Swedish city of Jönköping has another claim to fame . It is one of the most accessible cities in Europe for people with disabilities .
The winner of the 2021 Access City Award , Jönköping was recognised for its inclusive and universal bottom-up approach . Working closely with disability organisations , city officials rolled out a wide range of initiatives to make buildings , products and environments accessible to as many people as possible .
City-wide improvements include tactile maps and signage , audio descriptions , tactile paving , easy to read facilities , accessible pavements and barrier-free wheelchair access . From the concert hall to the matchstick museum ( one of only three in the world ), Jönköping ’ s attractions , shops , public buildings and infrastructure meet the long list of accessibility criteria .
Indeed , Jönköping is one of many examples of European cities that are friendly to people with disabilities . And with one in five Europeans living with some form of disability , city actions are proving indispensable in order to cater to a growing need for accessibility .
Making it easier to move around To rise to the challenge of universal accessibility , cities can benefit from innovative technologies that promote a barrier-free and inclusive society . Solutions may involve the use of augmented reality , wearables and artificial intelligence . These are just some of the smart tech solutions that scientists are co-designing together with disabled persons in line with the EU ’ s Urban Mobility Framework .
Transportation researchers in the Netherlands recently made an important discovery by surveying disabled commuters . They learned that the single most popular item in demand amongst users with different types of disability would be a simple , smart information tool . Imagine a special version of Alexa for travel - an interactive accessible journey planner that would greatly improve people ’ s mobility and willingness to travel .
The researchers , who are working closely with a Europewide network of disabled citizens and are supported by the TRIPS project , are drawing on this finding to develop and test mobility solution models .