Italian towns L'Aquila and Agrigento push for better disability access

In L'Aquila, a video produced by disability‑rights coordinator Massimo Prosperococco highlighted persistent accessibility problems. The footage shows unsafe pedestrian routes, damaged road surfaces, a hazardous roundabout leading to the city centre, and steps that impede wheelchair users, indicating that recent improvements have not fully resolved barriers for people with mobility impairments.

In Agrigento, Mayor Michele Sodano met with CGIL representatives and the municipal social‑services department to discuss beach accessibility for disabled and elderly visitors. The union asked that €19,000 earmarked in the budget be used for installing shoreline walkways and sea‑wheelchairs, but the funds cannot yet be spent due to a provisional budget. The city plans to involve local beach operators this summer to reduce architectural barriers and has pledged to begin programming for the next season, aiming for fully accessible beaches with dedicated equipment and staff.