Handicapped Accessibility Projects

In Baños, Ecuador, as in many parts of the world, life can be reduced to a never-ending series of obstacles for people who are physically challenged. Obstacles remain until someone decides to alert the community regarding barriers to access and mobility... and they remain until someone works to see them removed. Usually it takes a great deal of commitment and political lobbying to either pass laws or to get approval to modify public property.

Baños is a tourist town. Known for its healing mineral waters, it has always been host to ailing and disabled people who frequent the thermal baths. In 1998 members of FUVIRESE set out to convince the city to begin improving conditions by permitting the construction of ramps and special parking places to accommodate these people.

Until FUVIRESE was formed there was no voice to speak for the rights of handicapped people in regards to the elimination of physical barriers like curbs and steps throughout the city. Volunteers enlisted by FUVIRESE worked with businesses under the endorsement of local government to build the much-needed ramps.

Baños is now the only city in Ecuador, which provides accessibility for persons in wheelchairs in a comprehensive manner. FUVIRESE continues to work toward the realization of improved handicapped access to Baños' mineral bath facilities in hopes that disabled persons may one day have completely independent access to these valuable hydrotherapy treatments.

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