The Landscape of Exclusion

Who Is Left Behind?

The numbers reveal tourism's accessibility gap:

Disability Statistics - 12 million French residents with disabilities - 80 million EU citizens with accessibility needs - 15% of global population with disabilities - €89 billion: Estimated European accessible tourism market

Beyond Physical Disabilities - Seniors: 20% of French population over 65 - Families with young children: Specific needs - Economic exclusion: 30% never vacation - Language barriers: Monolingual visitors - Cultural/religious needs: Dietary, prayer, customs - LGBTQ+ travelers: Safety and acceptance concerns

Disability advocate Philippe Croizon, who swam between continents despite having no limbs, challenges perceptions: "I don't want special treatment—I want equal access. When tourism excludes people with disabilities, it loses not just our money but our perspectives, our stories, our full participation in society."

Historical Neglect

France's built heritage creates inherent challenges:

Medieval Obstacles - Narrow spiral staircases in castles - Cobblestone streets in historic centers - Multi-level monuments without elevators - Ancient doorways too narrow for wheelchairs

Attitudinal Barriers Historical perspectives persist: - Disability seen as medical problem, not social issue - Aesthetic concerns trumping accessibility - "Separate but equal" mentality - Assumption that disabled people don't travel