Barcelona is a city that has achieved recognition for its ongoing adaptation to the needs of its inhabitants, in order to improve the quality of life, well-being and integration of the entire community, based on the concept of a city for all that respects diversity.
Barcelona 's accessibility conditions make it possible to enjoy public spaces and services easily, conveniently and with maximum independence. The recent history of the city shows that it has used major events (Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Forum of Cultures, etc...) to trigger the transformation of accessibility conditions for disabled people.
As far as the street and road network is concerned, over 1,010 kilometres out of a total of 1,287 are now accessible, more than 95% in the busiest areas in the city centre.
With regard to transport, the city's fleet of buses has low floors, ramps and an area for people with reduced mobility and is gradually being adapted for the sensorially impaired. More than half the metro stations have accessible lifts, ticket machines and barriers, and ground surface indicators giving directional information for the visually impaired. The entire tram network is fully disabled accessible.
All the above improvements make it increasingly easy to gain access to a variety of public buildings and spaces. Most of the city's Museums and cultural venues, parks and tourists attractions are accessible.
The city beaches are a good example of accessible public spaces. They have been adapted for people with mobility problems, with the inclusion of wooden ramps to the water's edge, adapted showers and toilets, reserved parking bays and accessible public transport. Furthermore, the Nova Icària and Sant Sebastià beaches have special bathing facilities: changing cubicles, amphibious wheelchairs for bathing, a lift/hoist and volunteers to help bathers enter the water.
