Recently, during the Belgrade Marathon, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a fundraising initiative aimed at improving accessibility, specifically, collecting funds for the installation of ramps in sports facilities.

What I did not expect was how difficult it would be to engage people and raise awareness around such an essential topic.

We often assume that inclusion is something we already understand, something that exists in principle. But in reality, it is still far from being embedded in our everyday thinking and behavior. Many of us move through the city without ever questioning whether the spaces we use are accessible to everyone. For people with disabilities, however, this is a constant barrier not just in mobility, but in participation.

As a traffic and transportation engineer, I think about movement, accessibility, and infrastructure on a daily basis. But this experience made the issue much more personal. It highlighted a simple but uncomfortable truth: accessibility is not only a matter of design, it is a matter of awareness.

Despite reaching a relatively large audience through social media, the actual response in terms of donations was minimal. That led me to reflect: is the challenge a lack of trust, a complicated donation process, or simply that the issue does not feel urgent enough to most people?

The reality is likely a combination of all three.

People are often willing to support good causes, but only when the barrier to action is low, the message is clear, and the connection feels personal. Otherwise, even the smallest step, such as a symbolic donation, can feel like too much effort in an already busy day.

And yet, the need is undeniable.

In many cities, accessibility is something that enables visibility people with disabilities are part of everyday life because the system allows them to be. Where accessibility is lacking, their absence in public spaces is often mistaken for non-existence.

But they are there.

The question is whether we, as a society, are doing enough to make space for everyone.

This experience did not discourage me. On the contrary, it reinforced the importance of continuing to talk about inclusion not as an abstract value, but as a practical, everyday responsibility.

Because accessibility is not a privilege. It is a basic condition for participation.

And participation (and sport) should be available to all.