Boost for universal accessibility with the creation of the Accessibility Technical Officet
Made up of ten professionals, including architects, accessible communication specialists and project managers, the service will use a cross-cutting approach to plan, draft and apply the Accessibility Code, as well as specialised training in this area. The office will also offer subsidies to improve accessibility in buildings, with an initial sum of 4 million euros available.
The new Accessibility Technical Office is part of the Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities (IMPD). Rather than a physical office open to the public, the body offers a centralised space for coordinating all municipal services working for a more accessible Barcelona. The goal is to advance towards universal accessibility, which goes beyond architectural barriers and includes aspects such as communication and cognitive accessibility relating to products and services, ensuring that everybody can access them and use them on equal terms, regardless of their physical, cognitive or sensory condition.
The new office is another step in guaranteeing compliance with the new law on accessibility, which came into force on 1 March 2024. Accessibility is essential for 10% of the population as there are currently 161,658 people with recognised disability certificates in the city: it is necessary for 40%, such as the elderly, children, people with health problems or temporary injuries, and beneficial and practical for 100% of the population.
Some of the most notable actions to be carried out by the office include the Accessibility School, to train technical staff from the City Council and professionals in this sector. An open-access training site will be set up for individuals and any interested parties. A series of subsidies will also be created for owner-tenant communities and families, with an initial sum of 4 million euros available. Work will also begin on the new Accessibility Plan 2027-2035, which should be created with broad participation, including the voice of experts and specialist organisations.



