politics
Congress approves accessibility plan with hidden ramps in hemicycle
The Spanish Congress has approved a 3.7 million euro accessibility plan to install concealed mechanical ramps and other adaptations in the 19th century palace so deputies with reduced mobility can access the hemicycle, tribune and presidency areas.
Mar 31st 2026 · Spain
Insights
- Project costs 3.7 million euros and will be executed according to parliamentary activity.
- Concealed mechanical ramps will allow wheelchair users to reach the speaker's tribune and the presidency benches.
- Parts of the presidency platform will be dismantled and ornaments conserved while installing hidden mechanical systems.
- The plan adds evacuation routes, reserved seating, tactile and braille signage, audio loops and improved lighting for sensory accessibility.
- The reforms respond to longstanding demands from deputy Pablo Echenique and recommendations from disability organizations such as CERMI and Fundación ONCE.
Sources
- El hemiciclo del Congreso se reformará para que sea accesible a personas con discapacidad www.lavanguardia.com
- El Congreso aprueba la reforma que reivindicó Echenique para sillas de ruedas www.abc.es
- El Congreso aprueba un plan de accesibilidad que incluirá rampas en el hemiciclo, como Echenique reclamaba a Batet www.europapress.es
- El Congreso aprueba una reforma para que los diputados con movilidad reducida puedan hablar desde la tribuna www.eldiario.es