Accessible Urban Environment is Essential for Equal Participation of Persons with Disabilities

Mugalib Mahmudov, Head of the Legal Education Unit at the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan, delivered a speech at an event titled "Accessibility in Urban Infrastructure," held at the DOST Agency in the frame of the "Year of Urban Planning and Architecture."

During his speech, the accessibility of urban environment was emphasized as a key prerequisite for ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities and for their equitable participation.

The representative briefed the participants about the Ombudsman's independent monitoring mechanism for the implementation and promotion of the CRPD. In this context, he presented the findings, recommendations, and outcomes of monitoring activities conducted by the Ombudsman's relevant Monitoring Group regarding infrastructure accessibility in central areas of Baku, alongside the results of an online public survey conducted with the participation of PwDs.

Furthermore, an educational publication titled "20 Years – 20 Facts," developed by the Ombudsman to mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD, was officially presented at the event.

The presentation concluded by stressing that incorporating universal design principles from the initial planning stages of urban development and architecture, as well as ensuring physical, informational, and digital accessibility plays an important role in building an inclusive urban environment.