The City Council of La Laguna has been awarded the highest national recognition for accessibility, the Reina Letizia National Award, for its inclusive strategy in public spaces, transport, and events.
The municipality of La Laguna in Tenerife has been distinguished with the Reina Letizia National Award in the category of accessibility and universal design in municipalities, the highest state award in the field of disability. The jury's decision, convened by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and the 2030 Agenda through the Royal Board on Disability, was published this Tuesday in the Official State Gazette.
The recognition rewards the trajectory of the La Laguna City Council in favour of the inclusion of people with disabilities, demonstrating that the protection of historical heritage – La Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage City – is compatible with universal accessibility. The jury particularly valued the municipality's ability to reconcile the conservation of historical-artistic heritage with the elimination of barriers and the equality of opportunities.
The awarded strategy encompasses the incorporation of accessibility criteria in public spaces, transport, citizen service, and events on the municipal agenda. All of this facilitates the full participation of people with disabilities in a city that has already received other recognitions for its inclusive work.
The mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, described the award as a recognition shared by the entire La Laguna society. He stated that it is the result of years of work to advance the integration of people with disabilities, not only from the perspective of mobility but also of participation and cognitive accessibility. He thanked the work of the Social Welfare department and the social entities that collaborate permanently with the City Council.
The Councillor for Social Welfare, María Cruz, explained that the candidacy was based on a cross-cutting policy that encompasses urban planning, adaptation of public buildings, new technologies, communication, culture, sport, and leisure. The municipality works alongside the entities that make up the Council for Disability and Promotion of Personal Autonomy and has the figure of the Defender of People with Disabilities, responsible for channeling complaints and proposals from the public.
The award ceremony will take place on December 3, coinciding with the International and European Day of Persons with Disabilities. This edition received 127 candidacies and awarded five prizes and two special mentions.
This new recognition adds to others obtained by La Laguna in recent years, such as the Accessible City Award 2024 from the European Union, the ONCE Canarias Solidarity Award 2024, third place in the European Capitals for Diversity and Inclusion Award 2024, and the CERMI Award 2022. All of this consolidates the municipality as one of the reference administrations in inclusion and universal accessibility policies in Spain.
For the residents of La Laguna, this award represents a boost to everyday improvements: more walkable streets, adapted transport, and a cultural and leisure offer without barriers. The City Council's commitment to universal accessibility not only benefits people with disabilities but also improves the quality of life for all citizens, especially the elderly, families with baby strollers, or people with temporary reduced mobility.
The City Council is already working on new initiatives to continue eliminating barriers, with special attention to cognitive accessibility and the digitalisation of public services. The goal is for La Laguna to be a reference not only in the Canary Islands but throughout Europe, as an inclusive and livable city for all.
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