Accessibility is not just about ramps and elevators. European cities and communities are transforming transportation, digital services, tourism, public spaces, and planning approaches so that everyone can use them. “The League of the Strong” examined European experience and identified practices that could be useful for Ukrainian communities.
On August 14, “The League of the Strong” civic association presented a study of European accessibility practices at an event titled “5 Strategic Accessibility Solutions from EU Countries: A Summary for Ukrainian Communities.” The study analyzed accessibility programs in 15 European municipalities—five large and ten small cities—and also examined five small rural communities separately. Researchers assessed not only physical accessibility but also informational, digital, educational, economic, and social accessibility.
The study can be found on “The League of the Strong” website:
The study can be found on “The League of the Strong” website:
In major European cities, accessibility encompasses not only physical infrastructure but also urban planning, transportation, housing, digital services, and the participation of people with disabilities in decision-making. Here are a few examples from Berlin, Barcelona, Stockholm, Paris, and Vienna that demonstrate different approaches to creating an accessible urban environment.
Berlin: Accessibility in City Governance and Elections
In Berlin, people with disabilities are involved in planning urban changes through the Berlin Inklusiv Beirat—an advisory council that participates in the development of major infrastructure projects, particularly within the framework of the Smart City concept.
Accessibility also extends to the electoral process. Polling stations use special stencils for ballots that help people with visual impairments vote independently. Additionally, information about the elections and party platforms is provided online in an easy-to-understand format.
Barcelona: Traffic Lights “Speak” Only When Necessary
In Barcelona, pedestrian crossings use wireless-activated audible traffic lights. A person with a visual impairment can activate the audible signal using a smartphone or a special remote control. The traffic light then emits an audible signal that helps the person navigate while crossing the street.
This solution provides audible navigation for people with visual impairments without creating constant noise on the streets for other residents.
Stockholm: Housing Adapted to Different Needs and Elevator Breakdowns in the App
In Stockholm, housing is designed according to the Kvarboende principle—“living throughout the entire life cycle.” Apartments must be comfortable for residents even as their mobility declines with age: no thresholds, wide doorways and hallways, and spacious bathrooms.
Separately, the city is developing cognitively accessible housing. These units feature adjustable, glare-free lighting, enhanced sound insulation, and simplified visual zoning to make it easier to perceive and navigate the space.
Passengers can also use the SL app to check in real time whether the elevator is operating at their desired station. If an elevator suddenly breaks down, the Travel Guarantee system kicks in: the passenger is entitled to free alternative transportation or an accessible taxi at the carrier’s expense.
Paris: Barrier-Free Historic Gardens
In Paris’s Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens, during the renovation of the main avenues, the old loose gravel surface was replaced with compacted mineral material. It preserves the parks’ historic appearance but creates a firm and even surface that is easier for people in wheelchairs and parents with strollers to navigate.
Vienna: A Dementia-Friendly City
Vienna has a program called “Dementia-Friendly Vienna,” under which employees at supermarkets, banks, and public transportation are trained to recognize people with memory impairments and assist them in everyday situations, particularly in finding their way around.
Another initiative involves sensory gardens in city parks. These are designed with plants and elements that can be felt by touch, and they also feature quiet zones for relaxation and reducing sensory overload.
Solutions for Small Towns
For small European communities, accessibility often becomes part of local solutions that can be implemented gradually and tailored to the specific characteristics of the area. In its study, “Liga Silnykh” separately analyzed accessibility programs in 10 small European cities (municipalities). Among them are solutions in the areas of transportation, digital services, urban space, and employment that could be useful for Ukrainian communities.
Breda: “Smart Street” Helps Avoid Crowds
On Willemstraat in Breda, an accessible tourism and transportation corridor has been created, featuring tactile navigation and a digital system for monitoring pedestrian traffic. It helps wheelchair users navigate the street and choose routes that avoid crowds during large events.
For more examples of solutions to improve accessibility, see “The League of the Strong” study: Desk Research: “European Experience in Implementing Accessibility Programs. Summary for Ukraine” —