London Games legacy must transform access in the capitalThe London 2012 Games must act as a catalyst to transform access for
disabled people around the city, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said today.
Speaking in Beijing ahead of the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games,
Boris Johnson praised the achievements of Team GB¹s Paralympic athletes and
pledged to make London¹s Games the most accessible ever.
The Mayor said he would work with 2012 organisers and authorities across
London to ensure the capital was doing everything possible to maximise not
only access to the Games but access to the city¹s many hotels, restaurants,
nightspots and other leisure venues for generations to come.
The Mayor said:
³The fantastic achievements of our Paralympic team at the Beijing Games have
surpassed the country¹s wildest expectations, adding to the pride we all
felt watching Team GB reel in their haul of medals last month. They have
delivered for us now we must deliver for them, and for all disabled
Londoners and visitors. I want everyone who comes London to enjoy every
aspect of their stay, including Paralympians, disabled spectators, and
anyone who may have difficulty moving around the capital. That means
ensuring a wide choice of accommodation and places to visit during the
summer of 2012.
³So I urge all London businesses, including shops, restaurants and hotels to
start thinking now about they can make their goods and services as
accessible as possible in time for and to reap the benefits of the 2012
Games. It¹s not just about wide doors and ramps in premises - there are a
whole range of measures that can be adopted to help people with different
disabilities and organisations like the LDA and Visit London are ready and
waiting to offer their advice. ³
A lot of work is already underway by Transport for London and the Olympic
Delivery Authority to ensure London¹s transport provides the best access to
all Games events particularly for disabled people. The London Development
Agency along with Visit London is also working with the hotel industry to
ensure that disabled people staying in London can find the right type of
accommodation to suit their needs including holding a special seminar next
week to offer advice on improving access for disabled people.
However the Mayor wants the public and private sectors to spare no effort in
accelerating the process so that everyone coming to London in 2012 has a
truly enjoyable experience staying where they want and going where they
want. Access should not be a barrier.
