People with disabilities demand the removal of barriers: "How do you manage to carry a wheelchair in a movie theater that has a downhill slope?"

BarcelonaArchitectural barriers that prevent access to buildings or public transport; denials of curricular adaptations and lack of empathy from medical staff; inability to follow courses or shows or to understand official documents by theabsence of the easy-to-read versionThese are, broadly speaking, the main reasons behind the 248 complaints received by the Catalan Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (Cocarmi) in 2024, highlighting that, despite progress, accessibility remains the biggest challenge while awaiting government approval of the pact. The organization reports that physical, communication, and administrative barriers continue to limit the full participation of people with disabilities in social, educational, and working life. While acknowledging recent regulatory advances—such as the approval of the Accessibility Code—and the implementation of best practices, it warns that these are insufficient without increased investment to address shortcomings, clear implementation timelines, and effective monitoring mechanisms to track progress. According to the report, 248 complaints of rights violations were registered in 2024. Of these, 40 relate to accessibility issues at facilities and buildings, or to official websites that are not adapted for people with visual impairments. Additionally, 31 complaints were received in the education sector, which can be summarized as follows: inclusive education is a recognized right on paper, but in practice, it is not guaranteed for everyone. This includes a lack of trained staff or specific support in mainstream schools, as reported by parents who were invited to enroll their daughter with Down syndrome. In the healthcare sector (24 complaints), the complaints focus on services that are not adapted to people with disabilities. For example, a woman with quadriplegia was denied a diagnostic test because the center did not have a hoist to transfer her from her chair to a bed in another location, despite her refusal. Among the demands is that hearing aids and cochlear implants be free of charge for those over 26. In the leisure, culture, and sports sectors, there are also complaints about the lack of after-school programs and summer camps for children with disabilities, the impossibility of attending concerts or plays due to a lack of adaptations for blind or deaf people, and the difficulty of entering pavilions or auditoriums. "There are reserved seating areas in cinemas that slope downwards. How are you supposed to manage in a wheelchair?" one of the complainants asks.

Customer Service

Another major barrier faced by deaf people is when they need to contact customer service, where almost all communication is done by phone. The document also reveals a significant gender gap: almost seven out of ten complaints have been filed by women with disabilities, highlighting the persistent multiple discrimination.

Cocarmi has prepared its monitoring report based on the points established by the international convention promoted by the UN 20 years ago to define the rights of people with disabilities, as well as the guidelines that countries should follow to guarantee fully inclusive societies and promote the participation of people with intellectual, physical, or sensory disabilities. In Catalonia, it is estimated that there are almost one million citizens with disabilities.

"The United Nations Convention recognizes rights that are still not guaranteed in a real and effective way," Cocarmi points out, calling for greater political commitment from public administrations and close collaboration with the disability rights movement. The report puts forward nearly 300 proposals for improvement and is presented as a key tool for guiding public policy. For the organization, it is essential to eliminate discrimination that is not isolated incidents but rather structural, as well as to ensure compliance with existing regulations.