NEEREA GOIKOETXEA, with Central Core and access as a way of life: “I have advanced BilBao a lot”
Neria was born With a rare neuropathic disease, a central muscle disease. The lack of muscle strength led her, especially in the legs, to move on a wheelchair because it was small. Nevertheless, he was not only able to be in a double degree of ADE and the law, however Make the road in the work world to coordinate the financial affairs of hotels. But her story is far from being a story to overcome use. It is a decisive testimony, with difficult moments, courageous decisions and a clear view of what is involved in a disability in a society that is not for everyone.
“Illunion gave me the desire for everything, even to live,” admits serenity. Before arriving at the eleven social group -related hotels, Neria suffered from institutional abandonment. During your studies, The university took weeks to install a crane It is necessary to be able to go to the bathroom. It herself had to record a video that became a viral to make the situation clear. “He was exhausted, but it is necessary. I could not continue depending on the goodwill of my colleagues in the classroom For something very essential. “The answer came, but late.” Sometimes the inclusion depends on your ability to collect noise. This is also tires. “
Hue Living independently on a air -conditioned floor in BilbaoWith plans to adopt a dog and decorate your new home. Its independence was possible thanks to a network: the modified floors promoted by Diputación, public transportation is accessible and a function that appreciates its capabilities. “Bilbao has advanced a lot. The subway is well designed, and there is a social awareness. But there are still places where you can reach a certificate or are not directly present.”Remove.
From its location in Illunion, NEERA also notes the system contradictions. “Many companies are compatible with regulations, but do not understand what is really accessible. Not only is a slope or air -conditioned toilet, however To think about space from the beginning so that no one is excludedIn your hotel, for example, decisions are made with a comprehensive perspective of architectural design to form templates. “To be surrounded by people who understand you without the need to explain everything that is not possible.”He says.
A hotel wants to be a reference
Elunion San Mamés, a new construction hotel located next to the bus station. Marina de Diego manager describes it as “a space designed for all people, without barriers or exclusion.” It is not just a declaration of intent Air -conditioned roomsReceiving access, signs in Braille and other measures as a result of joint work with accessible specialists.
The hotel also works Special Employment Center80 % of its template suffers from a disability and 15 % comes from the contexts of social exclusion. “We want to notice the inclusion as something compressed, but it is merged in day to day from the hotel.”Diego explains. They even have a “laboratory room”, a space where they collect it comment From customers to continue to improve.
Walk in symbolic spaces such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Old City or the Abendoibarra area, in general, it is seen that the city has good levels of access, Especially with regard to public transportation. For example, the Bilbao metro is adapted from its perception and has elevators at all its stations. However, there are areas in the old town where the slopes become challenges, or the slopes are not rescued well or the stands operate a large area on the road.
The Diputación Communications Director for Foral De Bizkaia, Dicky Del Hoyo, admits a way to go. “We want anyone, to suffer from the disability he suffers from, can visit Bizkaia without barriers. But so it is not enough to put elevators. “We must think of tourism with another logic,” says Del Huyu. Del Huyu notes that access has finally entered into the political agenda and I work from an integral approach: with participatory diagnoses, consultation with associations, cooperation with experts and training on tourist agents.
Diputación strategy also includes a commitment to enhancing access. Through campaigns and identification trips with tourist tourists. “We have learned that we cannot assume without knowing what we really offer. That is why we are betting on continuous evaluation and learning from criticism.”
Access: Rights issue
The experience shows this Access cannot be addressed as an additional or tourist claim. It is, above all, the issue of rights. Cities really They want to be comprehensive, they must listen to those who live with disabilitiesMerging their voices into urban design and ensuring that the movement, entertainment or autonomy is not privileges, but the common facts.
In Bilbao, it is easy to check progress, but also discover the contradictions. Being easier than many other cities, it still should be done. This will only be achieved When access to relying on individual effort or opportunity depends, it becomes a basic principle In urban planning, in the design of services and in the concept of tourism. As Nia says: “When everything is designed so that you can participate without ordering permission, that is when the real inclusion begins.”.
