The acronym PMR refers to any person hindered in their movements, whether this hindrance is related to a permanent disability, a temporary injury, age, height, or simply the act of transporting a stroller. This broadened definition of persons with reduced mobility goes far beyond the scope of wheelchairs and concerns a significant portion of the French population at some point in their lives.
New housing in France: the distinction between accessible and adaptable
Since October 1, 2019, the construction rules for new collective housing have changed. Only 20% of the housing units must be directly accessible to persons with reduced mobility. The remaining 80% must be “adaptable,” meaning they can be modified with simple work.
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This distinction between accessible housing and adaptable housing has concrete consequences. An adaptable housing unit can, for example, provide non-load-bearing partitions between the bathroom and an adjacent room, allowing for future expansion without heavy intervention. The principle relies on anticipation: technical ducts, door widths, and circulation routes are designed from the outset to facilitate later adaptation.
To delve deeper into the definition and issues of persons with reduced mobility, it is essential to understand that this regulation seeks to balance construction costs and inclusion. The result remains a compromise: an adaptable housing unit does not immediately offer the same level of comfort as a fully accessible unit.
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PMR and disability: two distinct legal concepts
The confusion between PMR and persons with disabilities is common, but these two categories do not overlap. The law of February 11, 2005, for equality of rights and opportunities defines disability as a limitation of activity or a restriction of participation in social life, experienced by a person due to a lasting or definitive alteration of a physical, sensory, mental, or psychological function.
The concept of PMR is broader. It includes persons with disabilities, but also elderly individuals whose mobility is declining, pregnant women, parents with strollers, or travelers carrying luggage. Any person hindered in their movements is considered a PMR, even without administrative recognition of disability.
Practical consequences of this distinction
A public establishment must comply with accessibility standards that benefit all PMRs, not just individuals holding a mobility inclusion card. Access ramps, elevators of regulatory dimensions, or reserved parking spaces serve both a person in a wheelchair and an elderly person using a walker.
The rights available differ based on status. The allowance for disabled adults, the disability compensation benefit, or the recognition of the status of disabled worker fall under the scope of recognized disability by the MDPH. Accessibility adaptations, on the other hand, are aimed at all PMRs without any status condition.
Reform of wheelchair coverage since December 2025
The reform that came into effect on December 1, 2025, modified the coverage for the acquisition and rental of wheelchairs. According to the Ministry of Disabled Persons, nearly 186,000 people have already benefited from this system in the first months of its implementation.
This reform addresses an old problem: the out-of-pocket costs for an adapted wheelchair could represent a significant barrier, especially for electric wheelchairs whose prices far exceed historical reimbursement bases. The new coverage now covers a significantly larger portion of the actual cost.
What this reform changes concretely
- Access to long-term rental of wheelchairs, which allows for model changes based on evolving needs, is now covered by the system
- The coverage includes accessories and options for personalized adaptation (headrests, specific controls, pressure-relief cushions)
- The administrative process has been simplified to reduce the time between medical prescription and the actual delivery of the wheelchair
This advancement does not resolve all obstacles. Access to the ground remains problematic in many municipalities where roadways, transportation, and public buildings do not yet meet accessibility standards.
Accessibility of public establishments: obligations and reality
Public establishments (ERP) have been subject to accessibility obligations since the 2005 law, with a compliance schedule repeatedly postponed. The scheduled accessibility agendas (Ad’AP) have allowed managers to plan their work, but actual compliance remains uneven across territories.
The technical standards cover several aspects: minimum circulation widths, height of reception counters, signage adapted for visual impairments, induction loops for the hard of hearing. Accessibility is not limited to physical mobility: it encompasses sensory, cognitive, and psychological disabilities.
Parking reserved for PMRs
Reserved parking spaces must represent a minimum proportion of the total parking of an ERP. They must meet specific dimensions (increased width to allow transfer from a wheelchair) and must be located immediately near the accessible entrance. Non-compliance with these obligations exposes the manager to administrative sanctions.
Autonomy and inclusion in society: ongoing challenges
Regulatory accessibility does not guarantee real autonomy. Persons with reduced mobility face daily obstacles that go beyond the built environment: access to digital services, inclusion in employment, participation in cultural and sporting life.
Public transport illustrates this gap. While new buses are equipped with access ramps and dedicated spaces, older networks or unrenovated stations remain partially inaccessible. Some departments offer on-demand transport services specifically designed for PMRs, but their geographical coverage varies significantly.
- Digital accessibility of public services is progressing, but many sites still do not comply with the general reference for improving accessibility (RGAA)
- Access to employment for persons with disabilities remains marked by a significantly higher unemployment rate than the national average
- Urban public spaces (sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, parks) present breaks in the chain of accessibility that complicate autonomous movement
The French legislative framework today covers most situations. The gap between recognized rights and their concrete application remains the main challenge for persons with reduced mobility, whether their hindrance is permanent or temporary, visible or invisible.