All 342 Dutch municipalities and the 3 special municipalities are participating in the Most Accessible Municipality in the Netherlands election!
The election for the Most Accessible Municipality in the Netherlands is in full swing again, and it is more important than ever that everyone in the Netherlands can participate in daily life. People with disabilities often experience obstacles in their environment, and it is therefore crucial that municipalities play an active role in improving accessibility. The Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) organizes this election to draw attention to the efforts of municipalities and to learn from each other.
From a long list of participating municipalities, ten have advanced to the second round: Eersel, Hardenberg, Hengelo, Noordenveld, Oude IJsselstreek, Rotterdam, Sittard-Geleen, Tubbergen, Valkenswaard and Westerkwartier. This summer, Secret Guests will visit these municipalities to assess their accessibility. In addition, input is collected from the municipalities themselves and from local experts. The findings will be published in August, after which the public can vote for their favorite from the top ten from September to help determine which municipalities will advance to the finals.
This year's election for the Most Accessible Municipality in the Netherlands is led by Leonard Geluk, director of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG). Geluk, who chairs the professional jury, emphasizes the importance of accessibility for all residents of the Netherlands. “As jury chairman, I make use of the broad knowledge and experience of the other jury members. Because government policy is only successful if the people you make it for are also satisfied with it. This also applies to accessibility,” he says.
inclusiveness
Accessibility means that everyone, regardless of any limitations, can use facilities and participate in society. This includes public toilets, websites and schools. Since the introduction of the UN Convention on Disability in 2016, the Netherlands is obliged to promote inclusivity. Many municipalities have since taken steps to improve their accessibility, but there is still much work to be done.
Illya Soffer, director of Elke(in), is one of the members of the professional jury. Soffer is committed to the emancipation and participation of more than two million people with a disability or chronic condition every day. “I will take a critical look at the accessibility of municipalities. My focus will be on the extent to which the UN Convention on Disability is being implemented: whether and how people with disabilities are involved in the inclusion policy in their municipality,” says Soffer. The UN Treaty Alliance, consisting of Elke(in), LFB, MIND National Platform for Mental Health and Per Saldo, works together to strengthen the voice of people with disabilities.
Guusje ter Horst, former administrative director of the Participate Unlimited program at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, also participates in the professional jury. Ter Horst emphasizes the importance of a Local Inclusion Agenda: “Municipalities have an important role in making our society accessible. Currently, approximately 50% of Dutch municipalities have a Local Inclusion Agenda. Good examples of municipalities that already have an agenda are of additional help.”
The employees of the municipality of Stein are still proud of winning the election. All employees close their emails with an extra line in their signature: 'we are the Most Accessible Municipality in the Netherlands'.
“Winning the election has ensured that the topic of accessibility is even more alive within the municipality. We notice this among directors, civil servants and members of our sounding board group. The title makes you ambitious, opens doors and makes it easier to free up capacity within the organization.”
Romke de Vries, former judge and the first blind judge in the Netherlands, brings his years of experience to the jury. He has experienced every day how important municipal efforts are for the accessibility of society. “I notice every day how important the efforts of municipalities are for the accessibility of our society, both physically, digitally and socially,” says De Vries.
Cas Wolters, known from the television program Heel Holland Bakt and deaf himself, is committed to an inclusive society as an expert by experience. “In daily life I teach at a primary school in Roermond. Every day I see how flexible, but also critical children are. I hope that residents have assessed municipalities with the same critical eye,” says Wolters.
De election Most Accessible Municipality in the Netherlands is more than a competition; it is an opportunity for municipalities to learn from each other and grow in their accessibility policy. By focusing on inclusion and accessibility, municipalities contribute to a society in which everyone can participate, regardless of limitations. The results of this election will not only highlight the winners, but will hopefully also serve as a source of inspiration for other municipalities to improve their accessibility.
