The Socialist Group Denounces Breach of Agreement to Ensure Universal Accessibility at Hogueras Events

The Socialist Municipal Group, through Councillor Emilio Ruiz, has denounced the breach of the agreement adopted at the Alicante plenary session exactly a year ago for the development of an Accessibility Plan for festive and leisure events. The proposal, driven by the main opposition group, aimed to position the city at the national and international forefront by considering the needs of people with any type of physical, sensory, intellectual, or multiple disabilities. Despite the proposal being unanimously approved, the PP government "has done absolutely nothing to advance towards that goal," the socialists have denounced, "as already seen in the initial events framed within the Hogueras festivities."

"Barcala ignores people with disabilities. Not only does he breach a plenary agreement, but he also demonstrates a worrying lack of sensitivity towards a group that is not even guaranteed the possibility of minimally participating in official festivities," Ruiz denounced. The councillor emphasized that "while the Hogueras commissions themselves are advancing in terms of universal accessibility, the City Council remains idle."

The proposal approved in the plenary session by all corporate groups contemplated the need to involve people with disabilities and their representative organizations in the planning and evaluation process of the accessibility plan for festive and leisure events, ensuring that their needs and suggestions are considered to guarantee collective participation. However, "not a single meeting has been held in this regard in the last 12 months, so it could not be implemented during festivities framed within Christmas or Easter, nor will it be during the Hogueras."

"Many people with disabilities face barriers that prevent them from enjoying festive and leisure events on equal terms, and Barcala's government should have promoted specific measures that consider diverse needs and facilitate the participation of all people. However, it has not been done due to an evident lack of commitment. It is not enough to just take photos with people with disabilities on special days. Commitment is demonstrated with actions," Ruiz stated.

Among the measures proposed by the socialists was the need to consider aspects beyond physical accessibility, which requires all facilities and areas to be physically accessible, including ramps, accessible toilets, and wide areas reserved for people with reduced mobility and their companions. It also included the need to facilitate personalized accompaniment; specific measures for blind people, ensuring that all areas are accessible with Braille signage and tactile paths, as well as allowing and facilitating the entry of guide dogs in all events and areas, providing suitable spaces for them.

Inclusive communication must also be considered, including sign language interpreters at important events, as is already done at the Hogueras proclamation, and additionally offering tactile interpretation services and accessible communication systems for deafblind people.

Cognitive accessibility is equally important, creating comprehensible environments for all people using clear signage and pictograms that facilitate orientation and understanding of the environment, ensuring that information about events is available in accessible formats, such as pictograms and adapted audiovisual materials. It is also proposed to address the editing of easy-to-read documents that include accessible information about the events.

Ruiz also highlights the need to install signage for sensitive spaces that may be highly sensitive for some people, such as areas with flashing lights, loud sounds, or crowds.

Similarly, music and sound-free spaces are proposed, designating specific areas in parades, processions, and other events where no music or loud sounds are used to facilitate access for people with autism, auditory hypersensitivity, or other sensory conditions.

There is also a need to address the limitation of schedules and the use of pyrotechnics, setting specific times to reduce sound levels and limit the use of pyrotechnics to minimize the impact on people sensitive to these stimuli. For all this, it is equally essential to train event organizers and staff in accessibility and inclusion, fostering an attitude of respect and support towards people with disabilities.