Before becoming mobility-impaired, Jacques Dejeandile is still a man. A man full of energy. At 49, he leads a double life: he is a journalist on the show “Télé matin” broadcast on France 2, alongside William Leymergie. Since April 2008, he has also held the position of sub-delegate for disability at the Nice town hall. How does he manage to balance both? “It’s all a matter of organization,” he answers. The reasons for his involvement with the city of Nice? “I found that not much was happening” in terms of disability.
Since joining the City Council, Jacques Dejeandile has never given up. He fights tirelessly to improve the daily lives of people with disabilities. He is the brains behind “Mobil Azur” buses, these on-demand transports that provide autonomy and freedom to people with disabilities. The downside? This bus must be reserved the day before or even a month in advance. Between February and March, an experimental system will be implemented: people with reduced mobility will have the possibility to be transported within half an hour or 45 minutes following their call. “If it works, the system will be generalized.” But that’s not all… Jacques Dejeandile is the instigator of “handiplages,” so that people with disabilities can enjoy the summer season as it should be. Between June 15 and September 15, they have the opportunity to go swimming in the sea, accompanied by “handiplagistes,” young people trained in disability care.
Future Projects?
Making Nice completely accessible to people with disabilities would be “a utopian hope.” But Jacques Dejeandile is bursting with imagination: “as we have installed blue bikes, I would like there to be four-wheeled electric scooters.” The goal: to offer pregnant women, the elderly, and disabled individuals the chance to navigate the city. Of course, the device won’t be able to exceed the speed of six kilometers per hour. “We are launching a European-wide call for bids.” The municipality is considering making electric cars available to the people of Nice, and Jacques Dejeandile has expressed the wish that these be adapted for people with disabilities. To find a solution, “engineers from Nice Côte d’Azur are pulling their hair out,” he humorously confides.
“Things are moving in Nice, but it’s a big job”
Since Jacques Dejeandile assumed the role of elected official at the town hall, significant efforts have been successfully made in terms of disability. Unfortunately, numerous areas still need improvement. He still cannot access certain locations. This is the case with the Palais des Expositions: the inclined ramp does not precisely meet standards. By the end of 2011, the autonomy fair “which by definition should host many people in wheelchairs” is supposed to take place. By then, the venue should become more accessible. Other places that are not adapted: some private and public museums. “They will have to become accessible by law by 2015.” “But we must not hide the truth. In some museums, there are purely technical difficulties.” The places mentioned above are joined by accessible theaters, but where reserved seats are often isolated in specific spots. Jacques Dejeandile regrets the law adopted by theaters, which results in this situation. He does not hesitate to give the example of a fully accessible cinema in Paris. “You even have the option to sit next to a non-disabled person with a wheelchair. If you want to sit in a seat, because it’s more comfortable, you have that option.” Jacques Dejeandile does not despair that Nice cinemas will follow the example of Parisian theaters.
Despite these difficulties, he has adapted to his city and accepts some shortcomings: “I am not a pro in accessibility.” “Let’s not exaggerate.” He voluntarily cites the wedding hall at the town hall, which is not up to standards: “if we had to make an inclined plan, it would take up half the hall.” “To climb a step in a wheelchair, you don’t need three Breton or Nice movers,” he humorously states. Over 30 years, he has managed to tame his disability and face the constraints imposed to live his life fully and as simply as possible.
