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Athlete's Vision: Making Paralympics Equal at LA28
13 Aug
Summary
- Ileana Rodriguez aims to elevate the Paralympic Games at LA28.
- She combines her expertise as an architect and former Paralympian.
- Her goal is to integrate accessibility from the outset of planning.
Ileana Rodriguez, a former Paralympic swimmer and architect, is spearheading efforts to ensure the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games are fully integrated and accessible. As vice president of Paralympic Strategy and Relations for LA28, she leverages her unique background to advocate for a proactive approach to accessibility.
Rodriguez's personal journey, from overcoming paralysis due to a spinal AVM in Cuba to competing in the London 2012 Paralympics, fuels her commitment. Her architectural expertise, honed through founding iDesign Access, allows her to design spaces that are not just compliant but genuinely functional for people with disabilities.
Her focus for LA28 is to embed accessibility into the venue selection and planning process from the beginning. This ensures the Paralympic Games receive the same intentional focus as the Olympic Games, aiming to foster equal recognition, excitement, and respect for Paralympic athletes.
