LECCE – A direct line from the Government with Adriana Poli Bortone mayor to make Lecce an inclusive city. This was assured by the Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, this morning, at the Open Space, in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, welcoming the invitation of the candidate for mayor for the centre-right to a meeting with the third sector associations dealing with people with disabilities. A very participatory moment of exchange, both from the point of view of attendance and the involvement of all participants.
“The Peba (Plan for the elimination of architectural barriers) is very important but has remained at study level and has not produced any concrete effect on the territory. We will certainly take note of this study, as well as pay attention to all financing possibilities. And then we will dialogue with the associations and citizens. The consultations remained only on paper. Our project idea is to implement all the tools of active participation and continuous discussion with permanent tables with all the categories that represent the antennas of the needs of our city, taking into consideration large and small problems, taking into account the new fragility and problems that are increasing exponentially such as autism which require profound changes within society, starting from school which must be a true support for families, with highly specialized personnel on this disability, guaranteeing the continuity of teaching support which for neuro-divergent children and young people is an essential necessity to create an effective communication channel.
In recent days we have also met with blind people – he explained – who have particularly important social tourism projects”.
Minister Alessandra Locatelli underlined how “In Italy the latest report speaks of over 13 million people with disabilities, from the most severe to the mildest forms. In schools the numbers are growing exponentially. This tells us that if we do not move from the perspective of welfare and a penalizing vision of the person with disabilities to a different approach, we will not be able to have a strong community. The path must therefore move from inclusion to valorization of the person. Certainly we need to improve the laws and the approval of the new implementing decree goes in this direction which aims to give opportunities, rethinking the approach to the person, in the social sphere, work, sport, affection and relationships. The Decree introduces the “Life Project” which involves the Municipalities and local authorities, as well as those who work in taking care of the person. Today to access a service you have to knock on a thousand doors. The objective of the “Life Project” is to simplify and reduce the hardships of people with disabilities and families by bringing together a multidimensional team. An epochal turning point, which will start with an experiment in 9 provinces and which is destined to bring a civil change, also in training, school and work, in the direction of universal accessibility.”
The speeches of Maria De Giovanni, president of the “Sunrise” association, were moving; by Serena Grasso, of the “Piacere per tutti” association; by Giuseppe Quarta, provincial vice president of the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Ugo Lisi, the senator of the League Roberto Marti, and Matteo Gallotta of Gioventù Nazionale also took part in the meeting.
It is worth highlighting the paradox that the very Open space where the debate on disabilities took place proved to have architectural barriers at the main access, and it was necessary to place a mobile slide to allow people in wheelchairs access. The intended access, in fact, is located on the side, and not the central, part of the building.
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Tags: Minister Locatelli Lecce Poli Bortone direct Government line Adriana mayor inclusive city
