1. Presentation
Thesis
How can local investment in accessibility be an investment in
the future?
Author: Mark Van Assche

2. 1. Situation
Disabilities are more than what the man in
de street aims for.
the approach of „people with a handicap‟
has undergone an enormous evolution by :
- scientific progress
- ageing

3. 2. Regulation
2.1 United Nations
1993 Equal Rights for Every HP
Treaty on the area of rights of HP
2.2 The European Union
- 2000 Anti-discrimination guideline
- 2004 Dising for All

4. The 7 principles :
o Effectivity for everyone
o Flexibility
o Effectivity for everyone
o Understandable information
o Margin for errors
o Limited effort
o Suitable dimensions

5. 2.3 The Federal Government
- Non-discrimination legislation
- Establishing the centre for equal
opportunities
2.4 The Flemish Government
- Equal opportunities and proportionate
employment
- Legislation on the accessibility of the public
environment.
2.5 Other decisions
- pedestrian traffic
- parking spaces

6. 3. Practical application on local level
3.1 Conditions
These are the 7 accessibility criteria :
- Usefulness
- Reliability
- Understandability
- Familiarity
- Accessibility
- Availability
- Affordability

7. 3.2. Accessibility is more than physical
accessibility
- physical
- manifestations
- information and communication
with citizens
- readable
- understandable

8. The specific accountabilities
1. The local social policy
- role of the municipalities & CPAS
2. The local government as employer
- cooperation with „social economy‟

9. 3. Participation in social events
- Participation in associations
- Membership of advisory councils
- Participation in political decision making
4. The education policy
When we see „equal education
opportunities‟ in a historical perspective, it
is obvious that we have traveled a long
way.

10. 5. The leisure policy
- sport
- culture
- youth
6. The poverty policy

11. 4. Objections and proposals for improvements
‘Crossroad thinking’ and regulation
• Let’s not reinvent the wheel (European approach)
• A single vision (standardizing) across various
district e.g. door opening
• Accessibility an essential component of ‘strategic
long-term planning’
• No to recommendation & execution obligation
linked to subsidies
• After 2012 : a single policy related = income limit is
a rule
• Unified dossier
• 15 % social housing is ok, but what about
accessible housing?

12. The social accessibility
- Image CPAS
- Common policy
The local government as employer
- within their own administration
- as director of local employment

13. Education
Call on existing initiatives in stead of new
regulation
Free Time
- culture
- sports
Poverty policy

14. Summary
iedereen
everyone comparable onafhankelijk
independent
environment
omgeving
gebouwen communication produkten
buildings products
diensten
services

15. General Conclusion
“As common as possible,
the least exceptional”