BBI Chairman Peter Blanck gave public address at Metropolitan Convention Center of Quito, first GUDC-certified building in Ecuador and Latin America.

Translated from: El Telegrafo, Lahora, El Comercio

BBI Chairman Peter Blanck gave public address to celebrate the opening of the Metropolitan Convention Center of Quito, the first GUDC-certified building in Ecuador and Latin America.

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BBI Chairman Peter Blanck gave public address to celebrate the opening of the Metropolitan Convention Center of Quito, the first GUDC-certified building in Ecuador and Latin America
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Metropolitan Convention Center of Quito, the first GUDC-certified building in Ecuador

The bathrooms built in the new Quito Convention Center are part of the elements of universal accessibility of the property. On Thursday, January 17, it was possible to verify, for example, that the second floor has specific bathrooms for people with mobility problems. The entrance doors of the space are wide enough to allow entry into a wheelchair ; They have handrails to allow the use of the toilet, and all the elements inside are at a height that facilitates their use. Veronica Sevilla , manager of the Metropolitan Company Quito Turismo , pointed out that ramps, inclusive signs, elevators and elements of friendly dimensions make the building accessible . This Thursday, the Global Commission of Universal Design (GUDC) recognized the Metropolitan Convention Center as the first building of public use in the country that facilitates the use for people of all ages and physical conditions.

The American Peter Blanck, director of the GUDC , was in charge of unveiling the plaque that patents the recognition. Seville recalled during the ceremony that the property was built under the supervision of the Ecuadorian Council for Sustainable Building and the firm Ekron Construcciones . Therefore, according to the official, the new Convention Center has a structure with 99% universal design (for all people). He added that the Cabildo is working to turn the city into an inclusive destination , because for this purpose, ordinance projects are elaborated. Blanck mentioned that the idea of making Ecuador a friendly space for people of all ages and physical conditions can be a profitable tourist idea. He also praised the beauty of Ecuador. Blanck insisted on Thursday, January 17 to recognize the work done by the President of the Republic, Lenin Moreno, in favor of people with disabilities , something he mentioned during his meeting on Monday with the Head of State at the Government Palace. Since its inauguration it has hosted five major national and international events , which have gathered more than 174,000 visitors. It is planned that this year the building will host a dozen national and seven international events.

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About the Burton Blatt Institute

BBI reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities, with offices in Syracuse, NY, New York City, Washington, D.C., Lexington, KY, and Atlanta, GA. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities. For more information about BBI, visit: https://bbi.syr.edu.

About the Global Universal Design Commission

GUDC is a not-for-profit corporation established to develop Universal Design (UD) standards for buildings, products and services. GUDC is developing UD voluntary consensus standards for commercial and residential buildings, which will expand access to buildings for all people, regardless of physical stature and varying abilities. The approved UD standards will help guide corporations and government entities in the creation of barrier-free facilities, providing diverse users with access to commerce, public services, entertainment, housing, and employment opportunities. For more information about the GUDC, visit: http://www.globaluniversaldesign.org/.