The European Concept For Accessibility 2003

4.1.3 Involvement of Citizens

Once local government has defined its priorities, it is essential that council representatives meet with residents in order to inform them about: .

• The political will to create a City for All

• Who will take the political leadership

• The method for developing the plan

• The general priorities being put forward

• A system by which residents will become involved in the process

However, in addition to providing information, this first contact with residents should aim to hear their opinions about the plan. Therefore, those invited to the meeting should include not only the people who appear to be directly affected by conditions of inaccessibility, but also those interest groups and associations which would appear not to be affected (resident's associations, shop and bar owners, etc.). As users, they also come into daily contact with the environment in question and will have specific needs (for example, loading and unloading of goods, setting up terraces in front of bars and cafes, children's areas).