Papendrecht launches four-year plan to improve accessibility for residents with disabilities
Papendrecht is taking steps to ensure all residents, including those with disabilities, can fully participate in society. The new Accessibility Agenda focuses on physical, digital, and social barriers, aiming to create a more inclusive municipality over the next four years.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Initiative | Accessibility Agenda |
| Duration | 4 years (evaluation after 2 years) |
| Focus Areas | Physical, digital, informational, social, and financial accessibility |
| Target Group | Residents with disabilities (visual, auditory, physical, intellectual) |
| Stakeholders Involved | Residents, local organizations, municipal council |
| Underlying Convention | UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities |
| Supporting Political Parties | D66, GroenLinks, SGP, PvdA, CDA, ChristenUnie, VVD, PAB |
| Municipality | Papendrecht (Zuid-Holland) |
The municipality of Papendrecht is responsible for local governance, including urban planning, social services, and community initiatives. In this role, it implements national and international policies, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all residents.
Openrijk is free and ad-free
Do you value our work? Help us stay online with a small contribution.
external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Working together for an accessible Papendrecht
The municipality of Papendrecht wants everyone to be able to participate. That is why the Accessibility Agenda has been drawn up. With this agenda, the municipality is taking targeted steps to make Papendrecht more accessible and strengthen the position of people with disabilities.
Deputy Mayor Jaco van Erk: “An accessible municipality is about more than just physical accessibility, such as thresholds and doors. It’s primarily about people. About feeling welcome, being able to participate, and being seen. With the Accessibility Agenda, we are taking concrete steps together in this area.”
With the Accessibility Agenda, the municipality of Papendrecht is implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and, in doing so, also the motion by D66, GroenLinks, SGP, PvdA, CDA, ChristenUnie, VVD, and PAB, which called for the implementation of this convention. This motion was unanimously adopted by the Papendrecht municipal council.
A broad view of accessibility
In the Netherlands, an estimated 2 million people live with a disability, such as a visual, auditory, physical, or intellectual disability, or mental health issues. Papendrecht also has a large group of residents in this category. Accessibility goes beyond just the physical environment. It also concerns the accessibility of facilities, informational accessibility, digital accessibility, social accessibility, and financial accessibility.
The Accessibility Agenda shows what the municipality is already doing and where opportunities lie in the coming years. These have been translated into concrete actions with a timeline. The municipality acknowledges that there are still steps to be taken but emphasizes that every improvement counts.
Working together with residents
When drawing up the agenda, the principle ‘Nothing about us without us’ was followed. People with lived experience provided important input, as did various organizations. This ensures that the agenda aligns well with the practical needs of residents.
The Accessibility Agenda has a duration of four years and will be evaluated after two years. This will allow for an assessment of what has been achieved and where adjustments are needed. With this agenda, Papendrecht is working together with residents and partners to create an accessible municipality where no one is left out.