Accessibility and Universal Design in Major Sport Events

The book aims to highlight the relevance of Universal Design at major sporting events by exploring accessibility through the various guides and regulations, while not neglecting the rights of the disabled. It also aims to identify the role that Universal Design has in the sport environment and why it is so important in sport as it is in life. The analysis is conducted on the sites of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and on those of the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games to be held in Toronto in 2015. It intends to evaluate whether London maintained its promise to host “the most inclusive games ever”, in terms of accessibility and universal design, from the perspective of both designers and users. The study also discusses whether London’s experience will impact on future sporting events, such as those to be held in Toronto in 2015.

Veronica Lo Presti gained her Dual Master Degree in International Sport Management at London Metropolitan University (UK) and at SUNY Cortland (NY). She is interested in social inclusivity through sport. Her research areas are accessibility policies and their impact on society and safety regulations within the sport environment.