Improving Accessibility and Usability in the Built Environment. Case Study: Guide Lines by the Lombardy Region, Italy

Accessibility of the built environment, including open spaces, products and services, is essential for people with disabilities and people with special needs such as the elderly and children to access, move, use and enjoy the services and the urban spaces, exercise their rights and fully participate in social life. Local administrations can, and must, identify strategies and tools that are useful for achieving this goal, with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. The case study of the "Lombardy Region Guidelines for Accessibility Plans" that each Municipality of the Region is required to draw up and implement will be illustrated. The Guidelines were drawn up in a very short time, promoting a participatory method, involving decision makers and stakeholders since the very beginning, and providing indications for building up Accessibility for All, inclusive and non-discriminatory. The founding concept was that of a City for All or of a "Plan for the accessibility and usability of the built environment, social inclusion and environmental well-being". Considering the different characteristics, abilities, needs, conditions and preferences of people, this concept extends the recipients of the Plan to all citizens, as well as to occasional visitors such as tourists. They were approved by the Regional Council in November 2021. The approach adopted complied with the most recent normative, legislative and cultural indications, both national and international. Training courses have been scheduled for municipal officials, technicians and plan editors. Synergies have been established with universities and UNI, the Italian standardization body.