Los Angeles Signs Accessibility Commitment Ahead of 2028 Paralympic Games

The city of Los Angeles has signed an official Games Host City Accessibility Commitment, which will develop and oversee the implementation of a Games Accessibility Plan ahead of the 2028 Paralympic Summer Games, which take place from August 15–27, 2028.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined members of the Paralympic community to reaffirm the city’s commitment ahead of the 35th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act. The event at John C. Argue Swim Stadium included Colleen Wrenn, International Paralympic Committee chief Paralympic Games officer; LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover; Councilmember Imelda Padilla, Paralympic athletes and other city and community leaders.

“While we have come a long way since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed 35 years ago, we still have more to do to ensure that Angelenos of all abilities can thrive in Los Angeles,” Bass said. “We are working across city departments and alongside private partners to develop and implement a Games Accessibility Plan so that L.A. hosts the most accessible Games possible.”

The city has appointed its first accessibility chief within the Mayor’s Office of Major Events. The city’s Department on Disability and Braille Institute also collaborated to install Braille translation for the Olympic and Paralympic Flag Installation in City Hall.

“The commitment of the City of LA and LA28 to host open and accessible Paralympic Games and Olympic Games provides an incredible opportunity to advance the promise of the ADA,” said Wrenn. “Through the platform of the Paralympics, the LA28 Games will drive impact that extends far beyond the sport venues. The Paralympic Games shows the world what happens when barriers to success are removed and inspires us to imagine what could happen if barriers were removed elsewhere, any place where people with disabilities could live, work, play and contribute to wider society if given the opportunity.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act, signed on July 26, 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and access to public and private spaces open to the general public. In part because of the ADA, the John C. Argue Swim Stadium — originally built for the 1932 Olympic Games — was renovated to include accessible features including elevators, accessible restrooms and several swimming pool lifts. The venue currently offers free and adaptive swimming classes as part of the PlayLA program.

“As Los Angeles prepares to host its first-ever Paralympics in 2028, we have an incredible opportunity to help reshape the conversation around individuals with disabilities,” said Hoover. “Just last year, LA28 became the first organizing committee in history to propose and add a new sport to the Paralympic sport program, making LA28 the largest Paralympic Games in history.”