Paralympics, Paris does not keep its promises: inaccessible transportation for people with disabilities

The Paralympics are underway but Paris public transport remains inaccessible for disabled users. Franck Maille, a former para-athlete, faces challenges with broken elevators and limited accessibility in the RER inner-city train and Paris metro.

The journey from Nanterre to the city center takes him 3 hours, compared to 1.5 hours for a non-disabled person. Lamia El Aaraje, deputy mayor, acknowledges more work is needed, while Valérie Pécresse, head of the regional transport agency, admits the metro is the 'weak spot' and requires €15 billion to €20 billion to modernize.

Activists hope the Paralympics will catalyze broader inclusion for the 12 million people with disabilities in France. In a global call for fair access to assistive technologies, the WHO and IPC launch the 'Equipped for equity' campaign to raise awareness and promote solutions.

The Paralympics highlight the achievements of disabled athletes and the need to integrate assistive devices into primary healthcare. IPC President Andrew Parsons calls for an 'inclusion revolution' at the opening of the Paralympics in Paris, urging freedom, equality, and fraternity for people with disabilities, who still face significant obstacles.