Living in Thuringia, many locals believe that accessibility in everyday life requires enhancement. According to the Inclusion Monitor, only 38% of Thuringians feel their environment offers sufficient accessibility. Conversely, 56% believe public participation, especially for individuals with disabilities, hasn't received the necessary attention it deserves.
Cities in particular have gaps in accessibility perception. For instance, just half of city-dwellers consider train, bus, and streetcar stations accessible, whereas about two-thirds in rural regions claim these places are sufficiently accessible.
Joachim Leibiger, Thuringia's State Commissioner for People with Disabilities, shares these sentiments. Based on his experiences, improvements for individuals with disabilities have been too gradual and, in some cases, deteriorated over the years.
While the sources don't provide specific Inclusion Monitor insights or commissioner concerns related to urban and rural areas, general information suggests concerns about disparities in accessibility. Rural areas typically face challenges like limited public transportation, fewer accessible facilities, and fewer comprehensive infrastructure compared to urban regions.
Commissioner Leibiger may push for relevant policies, advocating for improved public transportation, increased accessible facilities, and digital accessibility enhancement to address these disparities. Annual Inclusion Monitor surveys offer data to guide such policy decisions and resource allocation.
