WUF13 roundtable highlights inclusive and accessible urban environment for persons with disabilities
Baku, May 20, AZERTAC
A roundtable discussion on the rights of persons with disabilities was held as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), under the theme “Beyond accessibility: Realising the right to adequate housing for all”.
Moderated by Mikaela Patrick, the event featured discussions on issues related to creating an inclusive and accessible urban environment for people with disabilities.
Mikaela Patrick noted that cities built without universal design principles in the context of rapid urbanization create long-term barriers for approximately 16 percent of the world's population, adding that the situation leads to both social isolation and subsequent reconstruction activities that require high financial costs.
Although, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the New City Agenda identify inclusive urban development as a priority, there are still serious gaps in practical implementation mechanisms. In this regard, people with disabilities are among the groups most affected by housing and emergencies caused by climate change.
The main objective of the event was to promote the transition from a reactive adaptation approach to a universal design model and to support the local implementation of global commitments by discussing inclusive financing, social protection, and community-based innovative solutions.
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