Paralympics legacy spurs push for inclusive sports in Paris
The Paralympics may have shone a spotlight on disability and sport, but daily life for most disabled people in France remains a challenge, especially in Paris. Novosports, a sports club, is working to make sport accessible for everyone – disabled and non-disabled alike – but there is still a long way to go.
Before playing most sports, you need to get to a venue – a gym, or a field or a court. And if you are in Paris and disabled, especially wheelchair-bound, that’s a challenge in itself.
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Jerome Rousseau, the founder and general manager of Novosports, showed up at a city-run sports complex on the northeastern edge of the city to lead a session of inclusive volleyball.
The disabled access lift was visible from the street, but bars at the courtyard entrance designed to keep bikes and motorbikes out also blocked Rousseau's wheelchair.
Rousseau, who is quadriplegic, had to wait while a key was found to open a gate at the far end of the complex. From there, a long path wound around two football fields before finally leading to the gym.
“Everything takes more time when you are disabled,” Rousseau said, unfazed, while riding around one of the fields.
Listen to a version of this story in the Spotlight on France podcast:
Accessibility hurdle
Players roll a large yoga ball on the ground under a net and are limited by how many times they can touch the ball.
Read more on RFI English
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