Bus for people with disabilities stops in Brussels

•BRUSSELS This weekend, the European bus for people with disabilities stopped in Brussels. On Friday evening, the roller skaters of the weekly roller parade had the logo of the European Year of People with Disabilities painted on their arms, legs, cheeks and foreheads. "We wanted to do something with wheelchairs, but the police did not allow it," according to the organization. On Saturday, the campaign bus was at Muntplein. You could experience firsthand what it feels like to live with a disability. By taking a ride in a wheelchair or following an introductory session in sign language. THANK YOU "We are tired of charities and are striving for equal opportunities and rights for people with disabilities," says Lisbet Lenaers of GRIP, a civil rights organization that advocates for disabled people. "People with reduced mobility must be able to choose for themselves who they want to receive care from. We always have to say 'thank you' and that is actually not right. We also have the right to work and recreation, just like any other person." ON THE RIGHT TRACK The European Year is now halfway through and the assessment is positive. "With this campaign bus, we try to raise people's awareness in all major European cities about the problems that people with disabilities face daily. This can range from shopping to finding a job or buying a house. We notice that every city is different." "In some cities, the infrastructure is very good, but citizens are not very tolerant towards disabled people. In other countries, there is a lot of 'goodwill' from the residents, but the infrastructure leaves much to be desired," says Donald Tait. According to him, Brussels is already on the right track. "You notice that this city wants to change something and is working together with people with reduced mobility to see how they can tackle the problems."