Accessibility in Geneva –
Victim of a disability, he cannot access the courthouse
Eric Grassien was summoned to court at the beginning of October for a prosecution. He was unable to access the hearing with his wheelchair.
Published today at 9:08 a.m.
Eric Grassien, who has a disability, was unable to attend his court hearing because of a chair that was too bulky.
LAURENT GUIRAUD/TAMEDIA
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- Eric Grassien was unable to access the court because of an unsuitable elevator.
- Pro Infirmis often notes accessibility problems for people with disabilities.
- The old courthouse buildings lack accessibility features.
Not being able to go to court because of his disability is the unpleasant experience experienced by Eric Grassien with his wheelchair. On October 7, the Genevan, quadriplegic, was summoned to the Court of First Instance at 10 a.m. for a prosecution case, in room B4.
He enters through the door of the courthouse located on the side, rue des Chaudronniers 9. But what is his surprise when he realizes that the elevator, supposed to take him up the floors, is too small. His electric chair doesn’t fit. Eric Grassien feels helpless, physically prevented from going to the hearing. Her story moved a friend, who wrote to the readers of the “Tribune de Genève”.
It must be said that Eric has many friends. We find him seated at his “Stammtisch”, his favorite café, the Pub L’Arbalète, where every day, José, the owner, offers him lunch. This is where he tells us about his bad experience in court. Eric became quadriplegic in 1989 after being hit by a car.
Professional infirm not surprised
This unfortunate adventure of a room inaccessible by chair does not surprise Véronique Piatti Bretton, the director of Pro Infirmis Geneva. Accessibility to the court is a theme that comes up regularly among the beneficiaries of his association. “Often, we have to ask the Judiciary to summon people with disabilities to the ground floor, it’s a great classic.”
The director nevertheless notes that a person suffering from a disability, claiming to be independent, should report it to the court upon receipt of the summons, so that all measures can be taken by the judicial authority.
“This kind of situation is sad,” reacts architect Namira Benfriha-Raki, specialist in universal accessibility and coordinator of the HAU association (Handicap architecture urbanism). Bringing this type of old building into compliance is not obligatory and it is not done as long as there is no work planned.”
For her, no one can be blamed, but it’s unfortunate. Emphasis should be placed on the human side. “I am convinced that the person at reception did not know what to do in this situation. These public places should be the subject of support, so that employees know how to welcome, in sign language or in simplified language.
Particularly wide chair
On the side of the Judiciary, the media relations officer, Olivier Francey, indicates that room B4, used in particular by the Civil Court, is located on the first floor of one of the buildings of the Courthouse. “This room is in principle accessible to people in wheelchairs, but we cannot exclude occasional difficulties with particularly wide chairs. This is unfortunately what happened with Mr. Grassien,” he explains.
According to the Judiciary, Eric Grassien was welcomed at the entrance to the courthouse. He was then accompanied into the courtyard to smoke a cigarillo. After an exchange with the clerk, he was offered to be reconvened later in a more easily accessible room. He was also reminded that his presence at such a hearing was not essential. Subsequently, it was agreed to proceed in writing, to avoid further travel.
Attentive judicial power
Concerning the lack of accessibility, Olivier Francey recalls that the Courthouse is an old building in which no specific development or investment has been made for more than twenty years. “However, in most cases we are able to support people with reduced mobility, thanks to the elevators and the various corridors in the Palace premises.”
The Judiciary would be particularly sensitive to possible difficulties encountered by litigants, which is why it has increased the information on the display panels at the entrance to buildings. He recommends that anyone who is concerned about their access to a room should contact him before the hearing or on the day itself, “via the intercom available at the bottom of the stairs at the Porte du Bourg-de-Four in order to facilitate their entry. “.
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Judith Monfrini is a journalist for the local section. With a legal background, she obtained her diploma from the Journalism and Media Training Center (CFJM) in 2015. She worked for more than ten years for the Médiaone group. (Radio Lac, One fm)More info
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