Local initiative in North Macedonia Limited Mobility, carried out by a group of young activists and artists in support of people with disabilities, elderly citizens with reduced mobility, and young parents navigating the city with strollers.
Initiative was consisted from 3 parts – 2 artistic/creative actions in public space in Skopje and exhibition / event in Mobile/Montage gallery.
First creative action in frame of the initiative was action entitled “Flying wheelchairs” and involved a creative and symbolic intervention: several old wheelchairs were transformed by young artists, who added wings and propellers to them—turning them into “flying wheelchairs.” The message was: in today’s Skopje, moving through public spaces is only possible for some if they can fly. The majority of streets, sidewalks, institutions, commercial buildings, and public transportation remain physically inaccessible to those using mobility aids.
The action was conducted over 20 location across Skopje, in cooperation with local associations of people with limited mobility. It aimed to raise awareness of the daily obstacles faced by thousands of citizens who are excluded from full participation in public life due to infrastructural and institutional neglect. Action was conducted on 18th and 19th June on multiple locations.
Second artistic action was also aimed at raising public awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities are carried out in Skopje’s main pedestrian zone. This action called “obstacle’s in space” initiated and conducted by seam group of artists and activists involved in the project was created with placing physical obstacles similar to those found on athletic tracks—typically used in hurdle races—throughout the public walkway in Aerodrom Municipality in front of TC Biser. Each obstacle carried a clear and provocative message addressing the daily difficulties faced by people with limited mobility, including wheelchair users, the elderly, and others who rely on mobility aids. The goal was to offer an experiential insight into what navigating the city can feel like for those who encounter physical barriers at every turn. Action was conducted on 23 of June.
Finally, on 24th of June in spaces of Mobile/Montage gallery an event with the topic Limited Mobility was organized. Event was created in form of interactive exhibition that was consisted from exhibition of photo documentation from actions, interactive part of placing problematic spots on large map of Skopje, collecting data from disabled and other people about locations that are most problematic and informal discussion how we can organize our self to help people with limited mobility to navigate easier around Skopje.
Event was attended by over 80 visitors including several disabled young people, artist’s activists and also several representatives of senior generations that also face with problems of mobility in Skopje.
All collected data from visitors and small research made by young participants in the project including map and locations will be delivered to municipal authorities and representatives of City of Skopje in upcoming period. And also photo documentation of the action will be submitted to the responsible municipal and City national institutions, in the hope that—if they were previously unaware—they now have a direct and visual record of inaccessible spots in their surroundings. This symbolic intervention serves both as a call for empathy and an urgent demand for practical change.
Through this action, young people included in the project were able to use art and creative activism to give visibility to an issue that affects many yet remains overlooked. Our hope is that it inspires both institutional response and broader public solidarity.
Limited Mobility was a local initiative dedicated to improving mobility and accessibility for people with disabilities, elderly people using orthopedic aids or wheelchairs, and young parents.
