One of the key sessions at GDS 2025, Building Future-Ready, Inclusive Infrastructure for All – New Challenges & Local Solutions, explored the critical role of accessibility in infrastructure development. Accessibility is not just a standalone right but a fundamental precondition for realizing the full potential of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Despite the enactment of accessibility laws and policies across many countries, implementation remains inconsistent. Data highlights persistent gaps: in developing nations, 33% of persons with disabilities find their homes inaccessible, while 43% struggle with transportation. Globally, as of 2022, only 57% of buildings, 52% of playgrounds, and 51% of museums were wheelchair-accessible. Alarmingly, healthcare facilities in some regions remain over 30% inaccessible, with some countries facing inaccessibility rates as high as 80%. In certain developing nations, access to transportation has even worsened since 2018.
With 16% of the global population living with one or more impairments, inclusive infrastructure is essential for equitable access to public spaces, services, and participation in social and economic activities. During this session, representatives from governments, innovators, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and other stakeholders examined what truly accessible infrastructure looks like.
Fernanda Santana, IDA Representative and General Secretary of the Brazilian Association for Action in the Rights of Autistic People (ABRACA), participated in the discussion the importance of involving OPDs at every stage of infrastructure development. "For OPDs, just providing feedback is not enough. We need consultations before the design phase, and persons with disabilities must be involved at every stage—design, implementation, and evaluation," she stated. She also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across governments, NGOs, the private sector, and academia to ensure full and equal participation. "Accessibility is not just about disability, it also benefits gender-diverse groups, racial minorities, and other marginalized communities," she added. Additionally, she called for improved data collection, explaining that disaggregated data is important for identifying where persons with disabilities live and ensuring that global efforts are not siloed but coordinated for greater impact.
Other panelists included:
- Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş – Minister of Family and Social Services, Türkiye
- Alessandra Locatelli – Minister for Disabilities, Italy
- Johannes M. Böhmer – Vice-Governor, Social Development Strategy, Council of Europe Development Bank
- Rania Dagash-Kamara – Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation, World Food Programme
- Iain McKinnon – Executive Director, Global Disability Innovation Hub
- Andrew Parsons – President, International Paralympic Committee
Panelists shared successful examples of locally driven initiatives and assessed progress toward fulfilling CRPD Article 9 and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The discussion spanned multiple areas of infrastructure, built environments, public transportation, and telecommunications, while also showcasing how accessibility can drive tourism and job creation. Alessandra Locatelli spoke about Italy’s commitment to accessibility in tourism, recognizing its role in fostering inclusive travel and unlocking economic opportunities for persons with disabilities. Andrew Parsons talked about the transformative power of parasports and major sporting events in driving accessibility investments. He highlighted how such events create long-term infrastructure improvements that benefit society as a whole.
A key theme that emerged was universality, with panelists emphasizing how inclusive infrastructure benefits diverse communities beyond disability.
