Matilde Molina, president of the Fibromyalgia Association, Afibrolan, denounces that in Arrecife there are "many architectural barriers", so the city "is impassable for the disabled, except for the downtown area that they have recently fixed." Stairs, high sidewalks, buildings and even spaces between traffic lights and sidewalks that cannot fit a wheelchair or that prevent the passage of a person who uses crutches to walk, are an obstacle to their mobility, according to Matilde Molina. In the latter case, the president indicates that she has to go out onto the road to continue on her way. Just like she does every day to go to the Association on Figueroa Street. "I have to go on the road because cars park on the sidewalk," she says. Thus, she notes that although she suffers this situation when she uses crutches, it is worse for a person who suffers from a disability that requires them to be in a wheelchair.
To avoid this and raise awareness among the population regarding this issue, the Arrecife City Council presented the campaign "Be supportive, help us move freely" this Wednesday. Thus, it is intended to raise awareness among drivers of the harm that parking vehicles on sidewalks, pedestrian walkways or spaces reserved for the disabled causes to many citizens.
Although this awareness campaign has been launched, Perdomo has recognized that the issue that the associations of disabled people insisted on the most during the meetings held was the issue of architectural barriers, "more than the lack of solidarity of people." Thus, she stressed that this campaign "is only the beginning of a commitment" acquired. Perdomo explained that her Council will carry out a study called "Disability and City" that involves meetings between the associations and the councilor of Urban Planning to detect the barriers that exist in the city and develop a plan.
