4Plus

As part of its activities within the 4PLUS project, the Urban Research Institute (URI) has developed the "door-to-door" identification exercise of persons with disabilities in the Municipality of Cologne, in close cooperation with the staff of social services in the Municipality. Among other things, as part of this study, the accessibility of the PWD in the public infrastructure of the Municipality of Cologne was assessed through field inspections.

In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted in a pilot group of 60 people, on the list of identified persons, to assess the level of awareness among PWD about the needs, current risks and types of exclusion faced by PWD in periods of natural hazards and civil emergencies.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Construction and supervision of all public infrastructural works carried out in the municipality, with a special focus on ensuring the implementation of the technical standards defined in the Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 1503.
• In the procurement package for any intervention in the infrastructure, the standards according to the provisions of the regulation "Implementation of the rules for the elimination of architectural barriers in housing, spaces and public services" should be included as technical specifications, along with drawn technical details, in such a way that to realize the suitability for P.A.K.
• To have rigorous supervision by specialized employees of the municipality on the implementation according to the standards of the elements of suitability. It would be good if P.A.K. were included in this process.
• Inclusion of persons with disabilities in all intervention processes that affect their life in the community.
• To have a complaint tool at the municipality where the lack of suitability or the implementation of new interventions not up to the appropriate standards can be easily addressed.
• Providing information and training on accessibility standards for the relevant staff in the municipality, in the design companies, as well as in the contracted companies that will carry out the works.
• Create an easy-to-use complaints mechanism for persons with disabilities to address accessibility issues throughout the municipality.
• Preparation/construction of accommodation facilities where the operational needs of civil defense meet the priorities of persons with disabilities and/or reduced mobility (which must be certified as suitable and include toilets, water reserves, food, clothing, etc. .).
• Provision of civil emergency information in easily accessible formats.
• Increasing the capacity of staff, disaster management teams in the municipality to meet the needs of persons with disabilities and/or reduced mobility in cases of civil emergencies and natural disasters.