People with disabilities: Paralympic Games boost barrier-free environment in Sochi

Sochi has greatly improved the situation with a barrier-free environment in preparation for the Paralympic Games. However, there are still public places inaccessible to people with disabilities. This was stated by people with disabilities interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Frol Vladimirov, a person in wheelchair, living in Sochi, together with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, drove in a wheelchair through the city centre to assess the results of work on the creation of a barrier-free environment.

According to Frol Vladimirov, at present, many public and health institutions, transport, and shops became available to people with disabilities. However, the person in wheelchair has noted that courts and educational institutions still remain inaccessible for complete passage for persons in wheelchairs. For example, an unaided student or teacher in wheelchair cannot enter the Sochi State University for Tourism and Recreation (SGUTiK) located in Sovietskaya   Street.

Pavel Zhestovsky, Chairman of the Sochi Branch of the All-Russian Society of Persons with Disabilities of the Central District, shares the Frol Vladimirov's opinion on the development of barrier-free environment in Sochi.

"Much has been done in Sochi for people with disabilities; however, we would like more to be done. There is still enough work, since not all state, public and, especially, residential buildings or entrances to them are equipped with comfortable ramps. For example, it is impossible for unaided person in wheelchair to use the ramp at the Central District Court. It is also impossible for a person in wheelchair to leave apartment buildings, unless someone helps and carries the person out of the building on arms, together with the wheelchair," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.