The straw of the benches and the beam of disability
Adopted in some cities, they have a gap in the center to allow a person in a wheelchair to fit in between. Already “put in the middle” is an expression that is not very reassuring, and as usual we end up arguing about a minimal aspect ignoring the real problem.
Objectively those benches are not a pretty sight and in my opinion useless; there are other ways to include people in parks and a wheelchair user has the advantage (so to speak) of positioning himself as he pleases.
The real issue concerns disability and should be a source of continuous debate. We have come from decades during which people with serious problems have received little attention from successive administrations, probably in the mistaken identification that they are marginal numbers, while we are talking about more than 5% (Istat, 2021) of the population which in reality doubles because every seriously disabled person needs a person to assist him.
I omit aspects such as home assistance, rehabilitation, “After us”, work, support and respite interventions in favor of caregivers, integration, sport, affectivity, etc., on which others have skills superior to mine.
I am a collector of road barriers (unfortunately) and I collect them in a site. What is the situation in Verona today?
In January 2019, the PEBA (Plan for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers) which has been identified in a part of the historical centre 2304 critical issues; to date, in four years, they have been eliminated 26. At this rate they will all be resolved in the 2600. Neighborhoods are not mentioned.
We expect a lot from this new Administration which seems to express different sensitivities and attentions than in the past but in my opinion the departure has not been the most encouraging. It would have been appropriate to set up a department with broad delegation on disability and its own budget, but other paths were preferred.
The Deputy Mayor Barbara Bisso has the delegation to PEBA; I know for sure (although I learned it by accident), and in confirmation I had a polite email exchange. But the proxy does not appear on the Municipality’s website on the personal page. Just as no assessor is responsible for the barriers.
Because? If a citizen has to report a critical issue, who should he contact?
The answer may lie in the interesting interview dated September 16 in this journal of Gregory Maroso to the Assessor Thomas Ferrari which, in addition to highlighting interesting ideas on mobility, offers him the opportunity to explain the administration’s view on the issue of disability. Text transfer:
«In Giunta there are equal opportunities, which include equal opportunities for everyone, even for people who live with disabilities of any kind. The issue is very clear to us, we simply deal with it in a more systemic way». And further on: “In equal opportunities there is also the delegation on disability. The absence of a specific name does not mean not paying particular attention to the topic».
I confess that as I read, I immediately shivered remembering personal experiences in situations where there were many who could solve a problem but everyone was convinced that it was up to the others.
It is in any case the vision of the administration and the city will be able to evaluate its effects as soon as possible. The fact is that more than two months after the interview and five months after taking office, there are no signs.
Apart from the inclusive benches, of course.
John Falcone