Chronicle
Little attention is paid to people with disabilities at Christmas markets. On the contrary: barriers are often created in accessible spaces. Politicians must find solutions here, the appeal is made.
According to the Federal Association for People with Disabilities, the lack of accessibility at Christmas markets is very large. Rudolf Kravanja, the president of the federal association, explains to Radio Vienna: “The Christmas markets take place in barrier-free places. So barriers are created where there actually aren’t any.”
It’s about the high tables and punch stands. According to Kravanja, someone who is in a wheelchair or who is of short stature cannot get up there. “Tripping hazards”, such as power cords laid along the floor, are particularly difficult for the visually impaired.
15 to 20 percent of the population excluded
The president of the federal association emphasizes that people are excluded from society as a matter of course. About 15 to 20 percent of the Austrian population have a disability. According to Kravanja, there is an urgent need for political solutions: so that everyone from a municipality or city can take part in the Christmas market. Kravanja emphasizes that the federal association has been trying to draw attention to the topic for years.
“Everything bears fruit here and there. The people who do the Christmas market now sometimes add ramps or something similar,” but he still wonders why the platforms and similar barriers have to be set up at all. The representatives of the federal association are out and about during the Christmas season, assessing the situations in the markets and giving feedback to the local politicians.