The criteria for deciding who is eligible to benefit from the Adapto service have become stricter. However, according to the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), the reform, which was launched around one and a half years ago, has led to certain collateral damage. The OGBL points out the situation of disabled people whose Adapto card was not extended even though they still depend on the service.
Speaking for the trade union, Joël Delvaux acknowledges that this affects fewer than one hundred cases. Delvaux works for the OGBL Department for Disabled Employees. Some members got in touch with him because they are no longer allowed to use the Adapto service.
According to Delvaux, the Ministry argues that these people are capable of using the public transport system, which in turn would mean that they do not need to use the Adapto service. However, Delvaux points out that in view of these people's physical condition, this statement is "far from reality".
Delvaux cites the example of a man who managed to obtain a job on the "normal" labour market, despite his disability. He managed to do this precisely because he was able to commute to work every morning by using the Adapto service, the OGBL member explains.
When the reform was implemented, the man was called in for a medical examination. Even though his physical condition has not changed in the past 15 years, it was decided that he would no longer be allowed to use the Adapto service, according to Delvaux.
The OGBL has repeatably demanded the creation of a special commission that could reassess borderline cases such as this one.
Until then, those affected by the reform have no choice but to refer to the Administrative Court to appeal the denial.
Members of the Left Party (Déi Lénk) have already addressed the situation in a press release, and the OGBL agrees that the authorities are "lacking sensitivity" regarding the issue. Delvaux states that he welcomes the idea of a reform in principle, explaining that it was his wish too that services like Adapto will someday no longer be needed because public transport has been made accessible for everyone. However, Delvaux thinks that the Ministry of Mobility is not fully grasping the complexity of the situation.
According to Delvaux, the Ministry thinks that because it has invested so much money into making busses and bus stops more accessible, it can now introduce stricter criteria for the Adapto service. However, this is a fallacy, Delvaux argues, pointing out that whether or not a person is able to autonomously get on and off a bus is not enough to determine if that person is able to use public transport.
In fact, the way to the bus stop is a major obstacle for numerous people. In light of all these nuances, the authorities should be more flexible, Delvaux argues, and demands that the trade unions should be involved in the creation of these reforms.
