France commemorates the 20th anniversary of its disability law, enacted on February 11, 2005. This law established a definition for disability and mandated equality across sectors like education, sports, employment, transportation, and housing. Thierry Desbonnets, director of associative actions in Northern Lorraine for APF-France Handicap, assesses the progress and remaining challenges.
Significant progress includes a broader understanding of disabilities, encompassing previously overlooked conditions such as invisible and psychological disabilities. While the Paris Paralympic Games were a sporting success, accessibility within sports facilities remains limited.
Inclusive education has advanced, with more students with disabilities attending local schools. However, adequate training for teachers and sufficient support from specialized aides (AESH) are still lacking. Accessibility remains a key issue, with only about half of public establishments meeting accessibility standards for various disabilities, not just physical ones.
Despite legal requirements, numerous exemptions persist in construction, and transportation accessibility goals have been scaled back, particularly outside urban areas. Many train stations still require advance notice for assistance. Significant work remains to achieve true inclusion.