The French Association for the Paralyzed (APF) organized a national mobilization on September 8. The goal is straightforward: to show the government that the APF is vigilant regarding the implementation decrees of the Disability Law of February 11.
In Paris, a rally took place in front of the Ministry of Health. In Nice, APF activists gathered at the headquarters of the APF’s departmental delegation, in the presence of local parliamentarians (Jacques Peyrat, Lionnel Lucas, André Bony representing Rudy Salles, Muriel Marland-Militello, Jérôme Rivière).
Denis Taccini, the departmental delegate of the APF, led an informative and constructive debate between the activists and the elected officials.
The slogan “Disability Law: Watch Out, It’s Slipping” served as a cry of alarm with the fear of seeing the principles of this law restricted. Indeed, after lengthy and fruitful debates in parliament, the law was supposed to bring real progress: the implementation of the right to compensation for all people with disabilities through a compensation benefit that takes into account the individual projects of each person, as well as a maximum deadline of ten years to make public buildings accessible.
Seven months later, uncertainty has overtaken satisfaction. The compensation benefits may face administrative delays and will not meet everyone’s needs with the implementation of a flat-rate system. As for the accessibility of buildings, some will manage to obtain exemptions to delay the works.
The message of this rally has been conveyed to local elected officials who will be vigilant in both the National Assembly and the Senate.
“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” is not an anthem suited to the life of a disabled person. Not free to visit a friend living on the third floor because the building has no elevator. What does the word Fraternity mean when parking spots reserved for the disabled are regularly occupied? The government does not have the budget to satisfy all the requests of all citizens. It makes arbitrage decisions to save money. Social services cost money and do not generate revenue. Is that a reason to restrict the advances of a law through implementation decrees?
Being disabled is already a daily struggle. The government has added yet another struggle… Vigilance is necessary to prevent a slide.
Vincent Trinquat