COP For Hope: COP29 Sets Optimum Disability Medium Worldwide - Department Head (Interview) (PHOTO)

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 14. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing today's pressing climate challenges.

Today, we are honored to speak with Kamal Mammadov, Head of the Accessibility Department, at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework convention on Climate Change (COP29).

In an exclusive interview with Trend , Mammadov emphasized that the conditions created for individuals with physical disabilities at the conference should serve as a model for the world.

"COP29 has ensured full accessibility for people with disabilities, providing equal participation opportunities across all disability categories-visually impaired, hearing impaired, individuals with autism, those with musculoskeletal issues, and wheelchair users. These participants can navigate freely and engage in activities across the expansive grounds surrounding the Baku Olympic Stadium, where nearly fifty pavilions have been set up, all designed with accessibility in mind. Specialized services have been implemented to assist them.

Around seven thousand individuals from various service sectors were involved in our training programs, including volunteers, drivers, airport and ground staff, as well as service and security personnel. These teams are trained to provide assistance in areas ranging from catering to communication and from navigating public transport (metro, buses, taxis) to other logistical support.

The primary goal was to create an entirely barrier-free environment, and I'm proud to say that this objective has been fully achieved," he said.

The teams also analyzed the experience of previous COP events, drawing on feedback from participants with disabilities to develop innovative accessibility solutions.

"It's important to note the COP29 management's exceptional focus on addressing the needs of people with disabilities. From the earliest stages of construction and preparation, our team has been directly involved in the process, providing guidance based on the travel map we developed, which was swiftly implemented at the highest level. Notably, sign language interpretation has never been used at previous COPs, but we have introduced it here for the first time. During the opening ceremony, sign language interpretation was provided by internationally recognized specialists who are hearing-impaired themselves. They received an English text via laptop, which was promptly sent to them for real-time interpretation.

I would also like to emphasize that an induction loop system for the hearing-impaired has been installed in all event halls. At our information desks, we provide special booklets, and we have created a tactile map with Braille in both Azerbaijani and English for the visually impaired. Additionally, we have set up a technical service for wheelchair maintenance. We have thirty wheelchairs in reserve-twenty manual and ten motorized-available for those who need them. For ease of movement around the external areas, golf carts are also available.

I am particularly proud to note that people with disabilities have played a crucial role in the creation of this system. Blind individuals contributed to the development of the Braille materials, and amputees are responsible for maintaining the wheelchairs. Furthermore, among our volunteers, we have individuals with disabilities, autism, and hearing and vision impairments. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do," the head of the department said.

Mammadov personally inspected BakuBus transportation to ensure accessibility, including the use of ramps and how drivers interact with passengers with disabilities.

"Our team was also involved in selecting the design and color of the panels, with particular attention given to the needs of individuals with color blindness. We carefully considered the type of carpeting used, ensuring it had the right density to allow for easy movement by elderly people, women in heels, and wheelchair users. Additionally, at our suggestion, contrasting door frames and yellow stickers were added-especially on glass doors-to help visually impaired individuals navigate more easily.

Ramps have been installed at stairwell thresholds for smoother access, and in all registration areas over three meters in height, we created dedicated spaces for wheelchair users with counters set at an accessible height. Special seating areas for disabled individuals have been designated in all event halls.

In case of emergency evacuation, a dedicated service for people with disabilities is in place. We also use ribbons marked with the sunflower symbol-an international sign for autism and hidden disabilities. I would also like to highlight the creation of a specially equipped "silence room" for those who need a quiet, safe space to recover from emotional or sensory overload," he added.

Mammadov emphasized that full accessibility was made possible through the professionalism, attention to detail, and seamless coordination of all the services involved, under the leadership of COP29 management.

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