With an infinite amount of sports during the month of August, this last week will not disappoint: the Olympics are over, but now the Paralympics begin, the international competition for athletes with disabilities. Paralympics are a chance to show the world that sports are for everyone, even those who start at a disadvantage.
In Denmark, disabilities are covered by two main laws. The first is the Danish Act on Social Services, which ensures that people receive the support they need to live as independently as possible. This includes provisions for personal assistance, respite care, and special housing. The other is the Equal Treatment Act, which focuses on prohibiting discrimination in employment, education, and access to goods and services.
The country has regulations for urban design aimed at facilitating the lives of people with disabilities as much as possible, such as elevators on public transport stations, low curbs, and sound alarms in light stops for the blind. The challenges for citizens with disabilities, however, require constant improvement. As we imagine a sustainable, physically-active future for Denmark, it is important that those with different needs are put at the center of planning, making sure progress can be equally enjoyed by everyone.
