Access City Award 2016. Examples of best practice for making EU cities more accessible

The Access City Award scheme was launched in 2010 to promote accessibility in the urban environment for Europe’s growing population of older people and people with disabilities. Every year since then the Award has seen entries from cities all over Europe, each with a passion and commitment to improve accessibility for its citizens and visitors.

This year’s award brought forward another exceptional set of initiatives from cities across Europe and a high level of commitment at both political and operational levels to improving the lives of older and disabled citizens. This year two new categories of “Special Mention” have been added: the first under the “Smart City” banner recognises the growing use of technology to enhance the lives of older and disabled people. The second “Access to Work,’’ rewards efforts undertaken by cities to ensure that public employment services, as well as initiatives by the private sector, facilitate the access to work and they make information on jobs accessible to people with disabilities.

The European Jury, in this edition, decided to give one more special mention to an EU city for its efforts and continuous commitment towards improving accessibility.