“Things must change!” The phrase echoes as one voice in front of the steps of Riquier Station. Present at the meeting, the director of the departmental delegation of the APF, Denis Taccini, explains: “Even though efforts have been made to facilitate the lives of disabled people, there is still a lot to be done. We have therefore come to demonstrate in front of this symbolic place, which is Riquier Station and Place Blanqui, because it is a totally inaccessible place for people with disabilities.” And for good reason, the area is only approachable by steps. These are insurmountable obstacles for people moving in wheelchairs. “How can I take the train if I can’t access the platform? And if I manage to, which bus can I get on?” For Carine Labate, a volunteer at APF and resident of the Riquier neighborhood, as for so many others, getting around in Nice is fraught with hurdles. On a daily basis, there are numerous challenges: planning a possible route in advance, having to go onto roads with cars, asking for help to get off the sidewalk, … Examples abound.
A project for 2009
Accompanied by the first deputy, Eric Ciotti, as well as the deputy for disabilities, Sandrine Filippini, the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, expressed his support. After a few handshakes and a quick tour inside the station as well as Place Blanqui – inaccessible at times – Christian Estrosi announced: “I support this fight for the handicapped world. The SNCF is breaking the law… We will gradually resolve the issues.” Sandrine Filippini supports him. According to her, Nice will be a city accessible to everyone, whether handicapped people, mothers with strollers, or the elderly. She specifies: “We are in the process of developing a plan for making facilities accessible according to the layout of the land, … The launch is planned for 2009.” Nevertheless, some remain skeptical while keeping hope. Carine Labate admits: “I want to go everywhere, to go out like everyone else. I am a full citizen! But I realize that the situation unfortunately hasn’t evolved much.” Anger, sadness, discouragement, hope, … For the people who mobilized on-site, several emotions are felt. And yet, a law exists for the situation to change. It is the law of February 11, 2005. Passed in favor of people with reduced mobility, it defines a maximum period of 10 years to make all public places and public transport accessible. It remains to be seen if by 2015 this law will be implemented.
