The Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote will present a motion with measures aimed at improving accessibility and care for people within the autism spectrum with the aim of installing adapted signage with pictograms and specific training for public staff.
The initiative proposes developing a plan of accessible signage in buildings and public spaces dependent on the Cabildo de Lanzarote and its attached entities, incorporating informative pictograms that facilitate orientation, understanding of services, and anticipation of situations for autistic people.
Likewise, the proposal includes the implementation of training programs aimed at information and citizen service staff, as well as the personnel of the Consorcio Insular de Emergencias, with the aim of guaranteeing adequate attention adapted to the specific needs of people within the spectrum.
The councilor of the Grupo Socialista, Paula Corujo, has pointed out that “real inclusion is built by eliminating barriers that often go unnoticed by the majority, but that condition the daily lives of many families”.
“For many autistic people, facing new or unpredictable environments can generate uncertainty or anxiety. Having clear and understandable visual information allows anticipating situations and performing with greater security and autonomy,” he/she explained.
The motion starts from the evidence that autistic people usually especially benefit from visual supports, such as pictograms or adapted signage, since they facilitate understanding of the environment and reduce stress associated with poorly structured or difficult-to-interpret spaces.
In this regard, Corujo highlighted that advancing towards universal accessibility also implies adapting institutional communication and public spaces to the diversity of the citizenry. “We are not talking about complex or costly measures, but about political will to build a more accessible, more empathetic, and prepared island for all people,” he added.
The socialist initiative gathers experiences already developed in other cities, where the implementation of pictograms in administrative buildings, educational centers, sports facilities or community spaces has contributed to generating more inclusive and understandable environments.
Furthermore, the proposal aligns with Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013, which recognizes the right to universal accessibility for people with disabilities and promotes the elimination of social and cognitive barriers, reinforcing the institutional commitment to equal opportunities .
The Socialist Group will defend this motion in the next plenary session of the Cabildo with the aim of advancing towards a more inclusive, accessible, and committed to diversity Lanzarote.