The Cabildo of Lanzarote, through the Area of Social Welfare and Inclusion and the Centers for Art, Culture and Tourism, has marked a transcendental milestone in the fulfillment of its Island Strategy for Accessibility and Inclusion.
For the first time in its more than 50-year history, the emblematic Cueva de los Verdes has hosted an adapted route, allowing people with physical disabilities to enjoy one of the island's most important geological and artistic treasures. This pioneering action has materialized with the adaptation of special Joëlette chairs, which have allowed Gerardo and Naiara to travel a significant section of the Cave, immersing themselves in a space that until now had been forbidden to them.
For the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, "this important initiative is proof that thanks to solidarity, ingenuity, and political will, we can take extremely important steps so that Lanzarote continues advancing in its accessibility and inclusion agenda, not only on paper, but also in concrete actions that change people's lives."
Likewise, the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, expressed his satisfaction with the moving experience. "It is not only a technical or logistical achievement, it is a true triumph of will and the right to be moved. Our Island Strategy has more than 400 actions, and this one that we have developed in the Cueva de Los Verdes demonstrates that the Cabildo's commitment to inclusion is real and is being implemented in every corner of our competences."
Acuña wanted to publicly thank the Multiple Sclerosis associations of Lanzarote, ALANEM and TRI WWW, "for their constant struggle in favor of inclusion," as well as the Semi-Residential Addiction Care Unit (USAA) for the maintenance and recovery of the Joëlette chairs, the workers of La Cueva de los Verdes, and all the volunteers, such as Nino, Pedro, Amado, and Diego, who participated in this trial in solidarity.
A fulfilled promise that "breaks barriers"
The moment was especially significant for Naiara, one of the participants in this adapted tour of the Cueva de Los Verdes, who excitedly pointed out that "my friends had often told me that it was a shame that I could never visit one of our natural and tourist jewels. However, today it has been demonstrated that there is no reason for that. Feeling the magic of this place is something that we should all be able to experience and enjoy.”
For his part, the Counselor of the Tourist Centers, Ángel Vázquez, highlighted "the effort and determination of this group of adventurers, who have broken down seemingly insurmountable barriers to live a unique experience in a space that until today was only imagined." He also celebrated the success of the initiative, and assured that "we will continue to take steps to make the Centers more accessible spaces, organizing adapted routes on a regular basis," Vázquez concluded.