Members of the Public Chamber of Nizhny Novgorod assessed the accessibility of river docks for people with limited mobility.

      Members of the Public Chamber of Nizhny Novgorod, together with representatives of the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Nizhny Novgorod region and groups with limited mobility, checked the accessibility of river docks on the Lower Volga embankment. This was reported by the Department of Social Communications and Youth Policy. "Our task is to see how ready the river transport is at the beginning of navigation to accept people with various forms of disabilities. A lot was done last year: a mobile lift was purchased and ramps were replaced. Representatives of river companies are consulting with experts, but there are nuances that can only be identified during practical operation," noted Andrey Bulanov, Deputy Chairman of the Commission of the Public Chamber of Nizhny Novgorod on Social Policy, adding that changes in tourism legislation came into effect on September 1, 2025, providing for unobstructed access for persons with disabilities to tourism industry facilities.

      According to Bulanov, despite the legal nature of disability status, it is important to consider other categories of citizens for whom such measures are also extremely important, such as people with fractures or elderly citizens experiencing difficulties with mobility. The monitoring was initiated by shipping companies engaged in passenger transportation, during which participants checked the approaches to river docks, ramps, and gangways for boarding water transport, as well as tested a stair climber designed for people who move in wheelchairs to overcome stair spaces. "Almost all recreational areas are adapted for people with limited mobility: embankments, parks, and even the cable car," noted Alexey Kozin, a representative of the NROOI "Invatour."

      To ensure the accessibility of water transport for persons with disabilities, a call button for accompanying personnel has been installed at the entrance to the dock, which can provide necessary assistance during boarding and placement, supplemented with Braille. Irina Sumarokova, Chair of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Public Organization of the All-Russian Society of the Blind, noted that there is tactile paving in front of the staircases at the docks. In addition, the first and last steps are painted bright yellow.

      Based on the results of the monitoring of the accessibility of river docks, new recommendations will be developed for further consideration in the work of shipping companies and to ensure unobstructed access for people with limited mobility to tourism industry facilities.

      More news about the event:

      Members of the Public Chamber of Nizhny Novgorod assessed the accessibility of the Lower Volga embankment docks for people with limited mobility. Members of the Public Chamber of Nizhny Novgorod, together with representatives of the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Nizhny Novgorod region and groups with limited mobility, checked the accessibility of river docks on the Lower Volga.

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      Yaroslavl residents can once again travel to Nizhny Novgorod via the Volga. The network of water transport is planned to be further expanded. In the tourist season, the route network of water transport in the Yaroslavl region will be expanded.

      High-speed vessels are being relaunched between Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod. Water communication between Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod is resuming.