Vienna wins 2025 Access City Award for leading the way in accessibility for persons with disabilities

The initiatives to improve access to public spaces, public transport, information and communication technologies, and public services undertaken by the capital of Austria have significantly improved the lives of persons with disabilities. The city’s comprehensive approach, combining social, economic, and environmental sustainability, is a standout example of how capital big cities can successfully integrate accessibility into every aspect of urban life. Vienna is the second Austrian city to win the Access City Award, after Salzburg in 2012.
 

Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli presented the award to the city of Vienna at the 2024 European Day of Persons with Disabilities conference organised by the Commission and the European Disability Forum. This year’s edition marked the 15^th anniversary of the Access City Award.

All metro stations and over 95% of bus and tram stops are accessible, using tactile guidance systems, low-floor vehicles, and multisensory emergency systems. The Inclusive Vienna 2030 strategy, and its collaborative approach with organisations of persons with disabilities in decision-making, also demonstrates the city’s strong commitment to achieving accessibility. Specific projects like accessible swimming pools, intelligent traffic lights, and support for housing and employment integration have significantly contributed to making Vienna more accessible and inclusive.

Nuremberg (Germany) received the second prize for its committed and strategic approach to accessibility, in areas such as transport, employment, sports, and leisure to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Its dedicated Disability Council ensures active engagement with persons with disabilities in the city’s planning. As this year was marked by the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commission has additionally awarded Nuremberg a special mention for accessible sports infrastructure for investing in inclusive sport centres with adapted equipment and training for coaches in adaptive sports and inclusive swimming programmes.

The city of Cartagena (Spain) won the third prize for its efforts to making tourism and cultural life more accessible for persons with disabilities. For example, the city offers assistance for persons with disabilities when bathing at popular beaches, reserved accessible seats at public events, as well as accessible leisure areas and playgrounds.

Borås (Sweden) was also awarded a special mention for its role model in built environment and transport. This honours the city’s long-standing commitment and initiatives to considerably exceed national accessibility standards in public transport, streets, buildings and other parts of the built environment. Borås won the Access City Award in 2015 and continues its enduring efforts to removing barriers for persons with disabilities.

Background

More than 100 million people in the EU have a disability, according to Eurostat. Accessible spaces, both physical and digital, are a crucial first step towards achieving equality. Accessing transport, public buildings, shops, parks, or websites, is essential for persons with disabilities to make their own choices and take control of their lives.

Since 2010, the Access City Award celebrates cities that make accessibility their priority. The Award is also part of the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 that aims to build a Europe without barriers.

This year, 57 candidate cities applied for the award, the highest number of applications in the last decade. Among those, 33 were pre-selected by national juries. The four finalist cities were then shortlisted by the EU jury.