Ljubljana's commitment to accessibility, recognised by the European Mobility Award 2004

Following its success in winning the European Mobility Award 2004, the European Disability Forum, member of the jury, congratulates the Slovenian city of Ljubljana for the permanent measures it has taken in favour of disabled people 's access to public transport.

Brussels, 2 June 2004 - The city of Ljubljana (Slovenia) was appointed yesterday as the official winner of the European Mobility Week award 2004. The award, presented by European Commissioner for environment Margot Wallström during an official ceremony held in Brussels, recognises local action to promote sustainable transport in European cities and towns. Special focus was given to permanent measures taken in favour of the accessibility of disabled people, theme of last year’s European Mobility Week.

Chosen among the 723 other European cities invited to participate in this year's award and winning against 2 other finalists (Almada, Portugal and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain) Ljubljana was chosen by the members of the jury for its commitment to the improvement of local transport, including accessibility for disabled users.

Ljubljana's local authorities launched several permanent measures in line with the European Mobility Week Charter, including:

• Increasing of the parking places for people with disabilities;
• Installing ramps for wheelchair users in the passenger centre of the local public transport operator;
• Organizing a round table, in close cooperation with the Slovenian National Council of Disabled People, on bus and bus stop accessibility and the attitude of drivers towards disabled users.

Ljubljana Public Transport (LPP) also has confirmed its commitment to continue its efforts in favour of disability-friendly local buses, taking into account the specific needs of disabled users (access for wheelchair users, information in alternative formats for visually impaired people, training for the drivers).

“We are very happy that a new member State has received this award. We are confident that other new Member States will also demonstrate a strong commitment to disability issues. Ljubljana has paved the way, showing that the best way forward is to work in close cooperation with the national organisations of disabled people”, said Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum.

While welcoming the decision on the award and the good cooperation with the European Commission and all partners involved in the organisation of the European Mobility Week, the European Disability Forum deeply regrets that the official award ceremony held yesterday was itself not accessible for disabled people.

Details available on the European Disability Forum website: www.edf-feph.org

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