Ileana Rodríguez, a Cuban architect residing in Miami and an alumna of Florida International University (FIU), has taken on the role of principal accessibility consultant for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Rodríguez owns her own architecture firm, I Design Access, where she champions inclusion and accessibility in urban design. At the age of 12, while still in Cuba, she had to abandon her passion for dance and start using a wheelchair due to a spinal cord malformation.
She grew up and received her professional training in the United States, graduating as an architect in Florida. Since then, she has dedicated her career to improving accessibility for people with disabilities. One of her most significant challenges was adapting the iconic Champs-Élysées, modifying the surface to make it accessible for Paralympic athletes. Additionally, she has worked on planning two new, fully accessible stadiums for Paris 2024.
Rodríguez is also a sports enthusiast. She is a Paralympic swimmer and was a member of the U.S. team at the London 2012 Games. "As immigrants, we must appreciate that we are in the United States, a place where we can dream and fulfill our desires, thanks to education and effort," she told Telemundo 51.
Although she has consulted on various projects for Olympic and Paralympic stadiums, her work is not limited to sports events. She has also modified airports, hotels, healthcare centers, and commercial buildings across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The projects led by Cuban-American architect Ileana Rodríguez aim for lasting changes that benefit society as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ileana Rodríguez and Paris 2024
Here are some common questions and answers about Ileana Rodríguez's role in the accessibility transformation for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
What is Ileana Rodríguez's role in the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Ileana Rodríguez is the principal accessibility consultant, responsible for ensuring that the venues and urban spaces are accessible for all athletes and visitors.
What challenges has Rodríguez faced in her projects?
One of her major challenges was adapting the Champs-Élysées to be accessible for Paralympic athletes, along with planning two new fully accessible stadiums in Paris.
What other types of projects has Rodríguez worked on?
Beyond sports venues, Rodríguez has worked on modifying airports, hotels, healthcare centers, and commercial buildings in multiple continents.