Athens Remains Profoundly Inaccessible

Despite Regulations, Capital City Struggles with Accessibility

Athens, Greece - On the streets of Greece's capital, accessibility remains an elusive concept rather than a steadfast commitment.

Regulations governing Greek sidewalks are specific, mandating features like stable, continuous paving, proper slopes, and tactile guides for the visually impaired. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.

"I move around Athens every day. And there are often blockages," said Nikolaos Giallouris, lawyer and president of Greece's National Federation for the Blind. "The blind guide can lead you straight into a kiosk or a phone booth, there are tables and chairs on the sidewalk, sidewalks with broken pavements, construction sites with massive holes in the street."

Grigoris Chrysikos, a founder of the "Cool Crips" advocacy group, agrees Athens is far from an accessible city, particularly for those in wheelchairs. "I'm an Athenian and I love my city, but we have a difficult relationship," he says. "It certainly doesn't treat me very well."

The problems go beyond haphazard sidewalks and improperly constructed ramps. Athens suffers from a systemic lack of adherence to accessibility standards, coupled with a confusing web of responsibilities and a glaring absence of enforcement.

"The laws are not applied," Giallouris says simply. "There are no repercussions for breaking the law. We have no monitoring body. No fines are handed out."

Even when attempts are made to improve accessibility, they are often fragmented and uncoordinated. Different government bodies oversee various aspects of infrastructure, leading to gaps in the "accessibility chain."

Advocates argue the solution lies in meaningful collaboration with the disabled community. "If they worked with people with disabilities from the start, they wouldn't have issues like this. It's stupid," Chrysikos says.

Despite myriad promises and programs, Athens remains a city that continues to pose profound challenges for those with disabilities. Realizing true accessibility will require a holistic, coordinated effort – and a fundamental shift in mindset.