The “Warsaw Barrier Map” (Association for Integrating Communication in the Capital) identifies about 1,100 architectonic barriers. The “Living with Disabilities in Warsaw 2010” report (More Loved Association of Parents and Protectors of People with Down Syndrome) describes the city centre as a high problem area (high kerbs, underpasses, non-access railway and bus stations, no-access bus/tram stops, hoisting platforms out of service). Poor empathy levels of drivers and other passengers/ traffic participants are also an issue.
The project goal was to prevent the exclusion of persons with limited mobility from public space and transport by eliminating risk factors and improving general awareness.
Forty-nine barriers were liquidated (30 levelled, 19 commissioned for liquidation). Public space inaccessibility to persons with limited mobility in central locations (Central Railway Station and adjacent roundabout, stops along the W-Z route) was publicised. Seventy public transportation drivers, 25 students, 7 city officials and 3 architects were sensitised to disabled persons’ issues.
Three group and 5 individual meetings were held with disabled persons, senior citizens, and parents of children in wheelchairs (36 persons in total) to spot barriers (a weekly call-in service was also set up). Seventy-seven interventions resolved issues of inaccessible bus/tram stops, tall kerbs, out-of-service lifts and hoisting platforms, lack of ramps, narrow pedestrian traffic routes, etc.). Six participation budget projects were drafted. Four happenings (approximately 100 participants), a city game (41 participants), 4 training sessions (on disability types and related needs) for 70 public transport drivers, and 2 universal design training sessions for 25 students, 3 architects and 7 public officials were held.
The project reached disabled persons, senior citizens, and guardians of young children (36 in all¬), and around 250 persons who improved their knowledge in training, the city game, and happenings.