The initiative, launched on the National Day of Accessibility, aims to involve citizens in identifying and reporting situations of improper parking or obstruction of pedestrian circulation. The project seeks to reinforce respect for reserved spaces, raise community awareness, and streamline contact with the GNR.
The Councillor for Equality and Inclusion, Fátima Moreira, and the Councillor for Mobility and Transport, Paulo Gago, presented the project's objectives and importance. Alexandrina Leitão and Carla Melo, municipal technicians, detailed the Brigade's operationalization, emphasizing the need for everyone's involvement and the presence of partners such as the GNR, Casa do Trabalho, Assis, and the Association of Visually Impaired.
The Commander of the GNR of Póvoa de Lanhoso reiterated the police force's availability to contribute to a more inclusive community where everyone receives equal treatment. During a tour of the town, instances of infringement and compliance with regulations in areas designated for people with reduced mobility were identified.
Councillor Fátima Moreira highlighted the project's paradigm shift, focusing on behavioral barriers and fostering respect, active citizenship, and community spirit. The Brigada +Acesso unites the Municipality, the GNR, and institutions working in the disability sector, combating information deficits with knowledge and shared responsibility.
The local authority acknowledges the need to also raise awareness among those involved in public spaces and states that, despite challenges, efforts to remove obstacles have yielded visible results, improving the town's conditions and calling on society as a whole to pursue continuous improvement.
