The capital, which consistently adapts buildings, public spaces, transport, and cultural events to people with individual needs, claims to become the Best Adapted City for All Residents in Europe in 2022 ("Access City Award 2022"). The winner of the city will be announced by the European Commission in December, he will receive an award of 150 euros, the winner of the second place - 000 euros, and the winner of the third place - 120 euros.
The Best Accessible City Award is given by the European Commission and the European Disability Forum for efforts to adapt the city to all citizens, including the disabled and the elderly, ensuring equal opportunities to participate in city life. The city must have at least 50 thousand population.
"Accessibility is more important than ever, not only because it has been neglected in the past, but also because European society is aging. We decided to apply for this nomination because Vilnius aims to be accessible to all Vilnius residents and guests from abroad. Lowering the curbs is very good, but the real accessibility is achieved when all residents of the city feel safe, welcome and needed," says Vilnius Vice Mayor Tomas Gulbinas.
In recent years, the infrastructure of 14 personal health care institutions, 3 beaches equipped with paths, changing cabins, and toilets have been adapted for the disabled in Vilnius. The free app "Voice of Transport" was created for convenient movement of the blind and visually impaired in the city.
Increasing the accessibility of educational and health care institutions will require the application of universal design principles in all organized and planned architectural competitions for educational institutions.
in 2021 a Memorandum will be signed on adaptation of transport infrastructure for the disabled. In cooperation with the "Independent Life" association, we have been working on Vilnius railway station accessibility for all residents and guests of the city.
The award for the most accessible city (with at least 50 inhabitants) is an opportunity for European cities to show what they have done to make themselves accessible to all people. The first award for the best city adapted to all residents was presented back in 2010. in 2021 Jönköping (Sweden) won the award for the best city adapted to all residents. The second and third places were taken by Bremerhaven and Gdynia.
Vilnius aims for the city's transport infrastructure to meet the needs of all residents to reach 2030% by 60, building infrastructure to 2030% by 50, accessibility of public services to 2030% by 70, availability of information technology and communications by 2030 should be 80 percent
This year special prizes are provided for improving the accessibility of the built environment and including accessibility as an opportunity to better adapt the city to all residents in the city strategy. There is also a special prize for improving accessibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected people's lives in ways we could never have imagined and created new accessibility challenges. 2021 is the EU Year of Railways, so a special prize will be awarded to railway infrastructure.
