"Don't tell me you can't!" - Juan Jose Mendez Fernandez (Spanish Para Cyclist)
Sometimes you just know you need to do better.
Sometimes allowing for accessibility - and dare I say it trying to be consistent with best practice - doesn't create equitable outcomes for all. Quite simply, more needs to be done.
A few weeks ago I was on a video call with members of the Para Pentathlon Commission I chair. The Commission is currently finalizing para-guidelines for one of our sub-sports.
All is going well with the guidelines, and there is very specific information and requirements on how events are run, classification standards for athletes, and facilities required at competition venues.
The discussion turned to access to the venues, accommodation for para-athletes, and the best way for these athletes to access the venue. The Commission agreed a disability-friendly bus that takes athletes to and from the venue would suffice and meet our accessibility requirements. It does.
However, from reading the 'virtual room' it was clear that this didn't sit well with everyone. So we paused and let the group discuss in more detail.
"How is it equitable that able-bodied athletes are able to get to a venue walking, via public transport, or via any mode when para-athletes are not?" One commission member raised. "What if a para-athlete wants to get a coffee on the way and have a relaxing walk or journey on their own terms to relax before competing?" added another.
In short, they were both right. While we are considering accessibility, we were not considering equity or equitable outcomes for all.
Based on this, the Commission made a quick executive decision to include a Travel Corridor Plan (TCP) requirement in the guidelines.
The TCP is quite simple and asks event organizers to include a map from the appropriate para accommodation to the venue. It includes the following:
- A map of corridor(s) that are wheelchair and vision impaired friendly
- Bus corridors that are disability friendly
- Any potential issues, hazards or conflicts on the corridor
- Rest stops and facilities
- Any other points of note and photos if deemed necessary.
It is a simple task. To be honest quite mundane. A person on the event team makes some quick enquires on municipality websites, physically travels the corridor and prepares a quick map.
While simple, it provides for equity and means that para-athletes don't have to wait for a scheduled bus...rather they have some more freedom for themselves and the support crew to get to the venue in a way that suits them.
I am glad that Commission members paused and knew that we needed to do better in this space - rather than just accepting a decision.
By questioning decisions like this we all are helping to create a more equal and equitable world.
Transit Trends · Andrew Collings, KA Advisory. Read and comment on the original on LinkedIn.
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