How the upcoming Paralympics are enhancing accessibility in Paris
Following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, a humorous trend on social media reflects viewers' uncertainty on how to occupy their time.
For two weeks, the French capital captivated the globe, hosting what many consider one of the most successful and groundbreaking games in recent history. Amidst incredible athletic achievements, there were moments of joy and disappointment, all framed by the breathtaking Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, and the Seine river, creating truly compelling television.
However, the excitement continues — the upcoming weeks serve as a brief interlude before the Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8. The opening ceremony will unfold outdoors at Place de la Concorde, with events hosted in some of the same breathtaking venues that dazzled during the Olympics, including Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower.
Ticket demand has surged since the Olympics ended, with locals eager to extend the joyous atmosphere experienced during the Games. After a slow initial phase, organizers report that Paralympic ticket sales are averaging around 1000 per hour, with events at the most iconic locations — Versailles and Grand Palais — already sold out.
The renowned Château de Versailles served as a venue during the Olympic Games. Magali Cohen/Hans Lucas via AFPAlthough Paris has hosted three Olympic Games, this year is the city’s inaugural Paralympic Games. Alongside innovative solutions for travelers with disabilities, one of the most significant legacies of the Paralympics will be its role as a catalyst for making the cityscape – often viewed as a challenging environment for those with disabilities – more accessible and inclusive through enhancements in city infrastructure and transportation.
Creative approaches for travelers with disabilities to enjoy the Games
To improve the experience for approximately 280,000 visitors with disabilities, organizers are implementing several innovative services that will set new precedents for the Paralympics.
Event attendees – including those who are blind or visually impaired – at sports like blind soccer, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball will experience the action through a tactile tablet called Touch2See. This device provides a live, immersive experience with a moving magnet that mirrors the ball's position in real time, while vibrations indicate the game's intensity. Additionally, audio descriptions via headsets offer detailed commentary on the plays. Spectators with visual impairments can also utilize low-vision headsets resembling VR equipment, which function like high-powered binoculars to zoom in on athletic events and the opening and closing ceremonies.
In a groundbreaking move for the Olympics, the audio description service will be accessible through the Olympics app, enabling attendees to listen via their personal smartphones and headsets, with live commentary available in both French and English.
Visitors with limited mobility can enhance their wheelchairs with an innovative solution from myomniTrott, which connects their wheelchair to a scooter. This allows users to navigate the city, moving between venues using the bike lanes.
How the Paralympics are promoting a more accessible Paris
In preparation for the Paralympics, Paris committed €125 million to enhance its accessibility, striving to fulfill its promise of hosting a “Games Wide Open” and ensuring that no one is left behind.
While progress has been made in certain areas, some argue that there are still significant shortcomings.
One of the Paralympics' legacies for Paris is the establishment of 17 “augmented accessibility zones” throughout the city’s neighborhoods. In these zones, key routes have been redesigned to ensure a smooth, obstacle-free journey between municipal facilities like libraries, museums, and sports centers. This includes repairing cracked sidewalks, widening pathways, repainting crosswalks, clearing obstacles, installing audible pedestrian signals, and enhancing warning and guide strips.
Additionally, municipal buildings are receiving upgrades such as lowering reception desk heights, installing hearing loops in larger areas, and implementing assisted listening technology that transmits audio directly to hearing aids or cochlear implants without background noise interference.
The Paris metro system is not consistently accessible. ShutterstockAccessible transportation in Paris
One of the major challenges for both the city of Paris and the Olympic organizers has been the transportation options available.
As of 2021, only half of the city's bus stops featured accessibility ramps. After three years, €22 million, and 380 urban restructuring projects, nearly all of Paris’s 61 bus lines (except line 40 and the Roissybus) and 1750 bus stops are now wheelchair accessible. The tram system is also fully accessible. The city claims that the Games have expedited these changes, achieving in three years what might have taken two decades.
According to the city’s website, “the significant investment will also serve as a legacy of the Paris 2024 Games.”
Despite advancements in the bus network, the metro system, which has been around for over a century, still poses substantial challenges. Currently, only 29 stations, or 9% of the Paris metro system, are fully or partially accessible for wheelchair users.
In contrast, London, with its older and more extensive network than Paris, managed to make 18% of its stations accessible by the time of the 2012 London Olympics, as noted by Nicolas Mérille, national accessibility advisor for the APF France Handicap association, in an interview with French news site Franceinfo.
“We hope this event will raise awareness and serve as a wake-up call regarding the vastly different daily experiences of people with disabilities, especially concerning transportation,” Mérille stated.
How to locate accessible accommodations, dining, and attractions
Over the years, the city has been conducting an accessibility audit for hotels, accommodations, shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. To date, more than 450 establishments have been incorporated into the city’s web app MyParisjetaime Handicap.
Visitors can use filters to discover facilities tailored to various disabilities, including hotels and restaurants with access ramps and accessible restrooms; museums designed for the visually impaired; and theaters accommodating those with hearing impairments.
When booking accommodations or dining options, it’s important to look for the Tourisme & Handicap label. This designation, managed by the national tourism office Atout France, is given to establishments that cater to the specific needs of individuals with various disabilities. Pictograms are used to denote the types of accessibility available: hearing, cognitive, mobility, or visual.
Will Paris maintain its push for accessibility enhancements post-Games?
A noteworthy yet simple change during the Paris Olympics was the careful phrasing before the national anthems were played. Instead of merely asking spectators to “please stand for the national anthem,” announcers included an important qualifier: “please stand, if you can.”
This subtle detail was appreciated by the disability community and received significant praise for its inclusivity. Although disability rights advocates acknowledge the considerable progress made towards improving accessibility in the city due to the Paralympics, they emphasize that continued momentum is essential, requiring the backing of local residents and political commitment.
Mérille adds: 'The Games should not be viewed as a magical pause; there is still much work to be done.'
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