Introduction : The Ile de France Region : A major player in transport in France

1. Mobility International USAAdvanced International Leadership and Disability Reunion InstituteWith Federal Transit Administration, Lane Transit District, Center for Independent Living“ Promoting Independence through Accessible Transportation”June 26 – July 1, 2006

2. Introduction :The Ile de France Region : A major player in transport in France • The Ile de France Region (Paris and suburbs) public transport authority believes that transportation is a fundamental right. • That’s why it has set up “INFOMOBI”, a transport accessibility information service for people with disabilities in the region • That’s also why the Ile de France Region and the relevant public transport union (STIF) are equipping as quickly as possible the underground, buses, trains and inter-city train system to make them more accessible to as many people as possible

3. The Ile de France Region : 4 objectives in transport field • To reach its goals, the Ile de France Region is working hard in 4 areas : • Including disability access when financing changes to existing system (e.g. : construction, rolling stock changes…) • Supporting financially initiatives such as equipping cabs with disability access… • Giving financial assistance to local centers which provide transport for disabled people and also to disabled people organizations • Contributing partially to make transport prices cheaper for people with disabilities (the price could vary from 6 € to 15 €, depending on the kilometers)

4. Key Ile de France Region Information There are : • 1,200 towns (One thousand two hundred) • 350 underground stations (Three hundred fifty) • Approx. 8,000 buses of which 4,400 buses have disability access • 455 stations (*) (Four-hundred fifty-five) (*) excluding underground

5. Summary of existing initiatives at December 2005 (1/2) • 77 stations with platforms accessible, including 67 equipped with elevators • 71 stations have been adapted with automatic opening/closing doors • 106 stations equipped with ticket sale areas adapted for wheelchair users • PLATFORM-TRAIN ACCESSIBILITY • The main objective of the national French Railways is to enable any people with disabilities and whatever their handicap is: • To get on and off any train (whether new or upgraded) • To give full independence to the PWD. This means with no need for PA (Personal Assistant) or any other kind of help • These objectives must be accomplished without affecting the frequency of train services at the stop

6. Summary of existing initiatives at December 2005 (2/2) • 278 stations have been equipped with hearing level boosters • 98 stations have been equipped with surface contact warning systems • 20,000 seats reserved for people with disabilities (20 % of which have a grip support) • 48 wider corridors in 29 stations • 1,250 emergency communications alarm points

7. INFOMOBI : an information service for “moving people” with disabilities (1/2) Wheelchair travellers Map of the accessible network Accessibility of bus lines Information about tramway, train, underground and inter-city networks Accessibility of stations and stops Personalized itineraries Specialist transport and taxis information Assistance during the journey Visually-impaired travellers Maps with improved readability Voices announcing stop Contact warning surface Assistance during journey Other services

8. INFOMOBI : an information service for “moving people” with disabilities (2/2) • Hearing-impaired travelers • Personalized email help • Hearing level boosters • Visual signs • Other services • Cognitive disability travelers • Preparation for journey • Accompaniment

9. INFOMOBI is active in these 3 areas • Hotlines available from Monday till Saturday (7am – 9 pm) • Some tele-advisers to inform people with disabilities about all equipment and facilities regarding buses, trams, stations … • To help people with disabilities to prepare for their trip and, especially, for wheelchair users • To advise people with disabilities already on their journey how to overcome any obstacles that may occur. • Website service • To know the list of affordable and accessible equipment • To download accessible internet maps of Paris and the region • To find contact details of organizations specializing in transport and carers • Maps • A map of all accessible transportation can be downloaded from internet • a special map adapted for people with visual impairment http://www.infomobi.com/

10. All kinds of disabilities catered for (1/2) • A new project for blind people is on the way : It’s relief map of the new Parisian metro (underground) network : • A relief map guide in Braille is being developed for all public transport in the Ile de France region • The guide will provide specific and global views of the network • The guide will enable blind people to prepare at home for their trip (social or professional) - a spoken instructions will be included. Before the end of 2006 it’s expected that 1,000 prototype guides will have been evaluated by 1,000 blind volunteers

11. All kinds of disabilities catered for (2/2) • In their program, the Region take into account all forms of disability (physical, sensory and cognitive) • To make-up for lost time in the past, the Region is accelerating the accessibility project • They have created  PAM,  a service that provides door-to-door transport with trained-staff and adapted vehicles At this moment, 2 networks are operational