### Tijuana’s Businesses, Restaurants, and Roads Fail to Be Inclusive
People with motor and visual disabilities in Tijuana continue to face significant challenges in finding inclusive spaces, reveals Adriana Almaraz, director of Sinergia Inclusiva. She points out that the lack of inclusive spaces remains a pressing issue for the disabled community, deterring them from participating in recreational activities.
The organization is actively seeking support from the business, tourism, and gastronomy sectors to rehabilitate their spaces to create a more inclusive city. “There are few places with Braille signage, and even those are often hidden. Just having a single menu in Braille per restaurant would be enough,” says Adriana.
She emphasizes the need for relevant authorities to ensure that new developments and businesses include ramps, Braille flooring, and proper signage for the disabled community. “Authorities should assess the adaptability of these places, in addition to ensuring they comply with operational licenses from the municipality or fire department,” she proposes.
Despite their efforts, Sinergia Inclusiva has not been able to compile a list of inclusive restaurants, shops, and recreational spaces. Outreach efforts to the municipal administration and the newly elected president, Ismael Burgueño, through social media have gone unanswered.
Although both municipal and state governments are implementing projects to improve road infrastructure, they do not sufficiently guarantee the mobility of the city’s residents. “Some work has been done, like painting streets, but it’s not enough. There are streets with potholes that obstruct the path of pedestrians using canes,” Adriana explains.
### Additional Information: Inclusive Efforts in Tijuana
In recent news, initiatives to improve inclusivity in Tijuana have been gaining traction. A new city project aims to standardize the installation of tactile paving and audible traffic signals to aid visually impaired individuals. This project, supported by local NGOs, seeks to make Tijuana a model city in terms of accessibility.
Furthermore, the local government has announced plans to collaborate with international experts to revamp public transportation services to be more disability-friendly. This includes the acquisition of new buses equipped with low floors and wheelchair ramps.
Efforts are also being made to educate business owners about the benefits of inclusivity. Workshops and training sessions are being conducted to help them understand the importance of accommodating all customers and how to make their establishments more accessible.
While progress is being made, there is still a long way to go. The community is hopeful that continuous advocacy and government cooperation will eventually make Tijuana a more inclusive city for everyone.