© Domingos Oliveira
"You ask if a restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and they say, ‘No problem’, then you arrive and there’s a 12cm step," says Rigobert Rink, a former skydiver who has used a wheelchair since a car accident in 2002.
A recent survey reveals that 100,000 people in Luxembourg live with a disability. Despite progress, many still face significant challenges in their daily lives – not only physical obstacles but also social barriers rooted in misunderstanding and prejudice.
On Tuesday, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was marked by events across the country, including a vibrant gathering in Luxembourg City aimed at fostering dialogue and understanding.
By late afternoon, Place d'Armes was bustling with activity. Attendees, many donning blue caps emblazoned with the "#LetzBreakBarriers" logo, included people with physical, sensory, and mental disabilities mingling with those without.
At 5pm, a flash mob outside Librairie Ernster brought people together for conversations and performances. Christine Zimmer, director of Info-Handicap, emphasised the need for better communication:
"There’s still a lack of dialogue with the general public. That’s why we’re here – to talk to people, to connect. There are so many prejudices to break down. People shouldn’t be afraid to approach someone with a disability; they have the same talents and skills as anyone else."
The choir of the EME Foundation delivered a moving performance, with singers both with and without disabilities, followed by a dance performance.
Yet, barriers remain. Rigobert Rink, a former skydiver who has used a wheelchair since a car accident in 2002, described the daily frustrations of navigating inaccessible spaces: "You ask if a restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and they say, ‘No problem.’ Then you arrive and there’s a 12cm step. People suggest lifting me in my wheelchair—270 kilos with no handles! It’s impossible, and I’m left outside."
Improving accessibility
The Ministry of Family Affairs is addressing these challenges by improving accessibility on platforms like myguichet.lu and initiating projects to foster inclusivity.
Minister Max Hahn, who attended Tuesday’s event wearing a blue cap, outlined plans to raise awareness among workers in public-facing roles: "We’re collaborating with a major German organisation to train employees – such as those in hospitality and public transport – on interacting with individuals with disabilities. They’ll experience what it’s like to navigate life with limited mobility, sight, hearing, or an invisible disability."
Tuesday’s event also offered hands-on experiences to build empathy. Visitors used special glasses simulating severe visual impairments and tested navigating spaces in wheelchairs.
