Uses of Time

Capacity restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and requirements regarding in-person attendance and remote working forced the adaptation of direct services for persons with disabilities in order to maintain the level of care and support.

Once the restrictions caused by COVID-19 were lifted, the IMPD considered it appropriate to consolidate remote service delivery methods, as they allow for better use of time and facilitate service delivery to people who, due to their disability, may have difficulty attending in person at a given time.

Thus, in addition to establishing appointments to avoid queues and waiting times, online and telephone assistance has been promoted when considered appropriate for the characteristics of the service. The services that have introduced this form of assistance are:
 

• The IMPD Employment Advisory Team: a service specialising in the employment inclusion of persons with disabilities, mainly in the ordinary labour market. This type of service has also been promoted among the entities and services that form part of the Barcelona Network for Labour Inclusion.
   
• Early intervention services for children aged 0 to 6 and their families: CDIAP EIPI Ciutat Vella and CDIAP EIPI Nueve Barrios.
   
• The IMPD Public Service: information service specialising in disability issues and the processing of resources such as the special transport card and the parking tolerance card.
   

Time impacts:

• Improved accessibility to municipal services.
• Reduced travel time and improved urban organisation.
   

More information:
Barcelona Accesible website (in catalan)