Disabled by Inaccessibility: Sam’s Struggle to Reach the Paralympics in Paris

Today, Sam shared with us a story that highlights the frustrating reality of navigating a city that isn’t always accessible or accommodating, even when you’ve done everything right. What makes Sam’s experience even more striking is that this all happened on the day she was trying to attend a women’s basketball final at the Paralympics—a major event that should exemplify accessibility.

Sam left her hotel at 7:50 AM, giving herself plenty of time to get to the arena. She planned every detail carefully, accounting for luggage, travel time, and even an extra hour as a safety margin. But when she set out, she discovered that buses into the city center were not running because of a marathon. Despite boarding several buses, each one stopped short, leaving her stranded at various points.

After a grueling 45-minute journey just to get close to a metro station, Sam asked a staff member for help. Instead of offering assistance, the staff member dismissed her, saying, “It’s not our fault that you need a wheelchair.” Sam was left speechless. All she wanted was help getting to the arena on time, but the staff repeated information she already knew, like the need to book accessible shuttles 48 hours in advance—something no one had informed her about before.

With no clear guidance, Sam was sent from person to person. One told her to take the metro; another said she needed a bus, which wasn’t running anyway. She ended up at a metro station without assistance, unable to find anyone to help with the ramps she needed. When she pressed the call button for help, it rang for ages before being cut off completely.

By the time Sam got back upstairs, it was already past the start time of the Paralympic basketball finals she had been so excited to attend. She had left her hotel hours earlier, only to be met with misinformation, conflicting advice, and a complete lack of support. It wasn’t Sam’s wheelchair that made the journey impossible—it was the inaccessible transport system, poor communication, and lack of support from those who should have been there to help.

Sam’s experience is a stark reminder of how people are disabled by inaccessible environments, systems, and attitudes. Even at the Paralympics, which should set the standard for accessibility, barriers remain.

Sam told us, “I just wanted to enjoy my day, see the basketball finals, and experience Paris. Instead, I was left stranded, exhausted, and incredibly disappointed. This is not how any city should treat its visitors, especially during the Paralympics.”

Educational Points: What Can Be Learned from Sam’s Experience

1. **Clear Communication is Essential:** Public transport authorities must provide accurate, up-to-date information on service disruptions, especially during major events like the Paralympics. Clear signage, announcements, and staff assistance are crucial in avoiding confusion and frustration.

2. **Inaccessibility Disables People, Not the Other Way Around:** Inaccessible environments, poor planning, and lack of clear information are what disable people. The Paralympics should be a model of accessibility, but Sam’s experience highlights the ongoing need to challenge and change these barriers.

3. **Training Staff in Accessibility Awareness:** Staff need to understand that accessibility is about ensuring equal access and opportunity, not an afterthought or special requirement. Proper training can help staff provide respectful and effective support rather than dismissive responses.

4. **Reliable and Adaptable Services:** Even when people plan ahead, services must be adaptable. Cities hosting major events should have reliable accessible transport options and flexible plans to support all travelers, especially when disruptions occur.

5. **Speak Up for Accessibility:** Sharing experiences like Sam’s is essential to advocating for change. By raising awareness about inaccessibility, we can push for better standards, ensuring that events like the Paralympics truly reflect the inclusive values they represent.

If you’ve had a similar experience or want to share your story, Speak to Me is here to listen. Together, we can amplify these voices and advocate for a world where accessibility is a given, not an exception, especially at events meant to celebrate and support disabled athletes.

Please watch Sam's video here:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_pr_0PIZZN/?igsh=ZGprYWt4cHF5MGVo