Council of Europe Action Plan to promote the rights and full participation of people with disabilities in society: improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in Europe, 2006-2015.
The UK's Disability Discrimination Act has been in force since 1995, with enforcement measures fully implemented since 2004. This article looks at where we are now as a country offering accessible tourism, what more needs to be done and the opportunities that exist, especially in view of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012. It also outlines the role of a new project – Open Britain – being launched in July 2009 by Tourism for All UK and disability charity RADAR.
This Flash Eurobarometer survey (Flash Eurobarometer 258 on the “Survey on the attitudes of Europeans towards tourism”) was conducted at the request of Directorate General Enterprise and Industry to collect citizens' ‟...views, details of holidays and travel in 2007 and 2008 and their plans regarding holidays in 2009." The report includes the average results for the EU and highlights variances in responses based on the interviewees' country of residence, their socio-demographic background and fundamental attitudes towards holidays and travel. It also examined how EU citizens chose a holiday destination. Tourism accessibility issues are not considered in the survey but some data on older people's responses are included.
This guide, drafted in cooperation with the European Disability Forum(EDF), is one of several initiatives undertaken by the Disability Working Group of the European Standing Conference of Co-operatives Mutual Societies, Associations and Foundations (CEP-CMAF) aimed at raising
awareness and promoting the integration of people with disabilities and disability issues in society as a whole and in Social Economy enterprises and organisations in particular.
Scandic has become the first hotel chain to gather all its information for guests with special needs in one place. Every hotel’s homepage now provides answers to the 80 most common questions.
In June 2009, another seminar of the series “Brandenburg for All – barrier free tourism” took place in Potsdam, the capital of Germany’s Federal State of Brandenburg. Starting in 1998, tourism organisations in Brandenburg have been increasing their accessible offers for all guests, step by step.
The 2nd ENAT International Congress takes place in Vienna on 30th September to 1st October 2009. Book before 30th June, to secure your place, and save 20% on the normal fee. Reduced rates for ENAT Members.
Barcelona, Spain. The Spanish consultancy group, ProA Solutions has launched a user survey about access in rail travel. The survey, which is being conducted for RENFE, the Spanish National Railway, aims to shed light on the accessibility of different countries’ railway systems and the users’ perceptions.
Today sees the launch of accessible.travel - a new on-line booking site for people with disabilities and others who need to know about the accessibility of venues and hotels before they travel. The site is run by Craig Grimes, a wheelchair user and determined traveller, adventurer and consultant to the tourism industry.
The publication, "International Best Practices in Universal Design: A Global Review" has been named as one of the world's 100 "Best Practices" for 2008 by United Nations - Habitat - Dubai International Award for Best Practices. The Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES) has distributed the publication to over 5000 people worldwide. It compares accessibility codes and standards from around the world and is available in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Serbian and the alternate DAISY format.
OAKLAND, California - Under a settlement announced on 26th January, Hotels.com and Expedia.com, two of the world's leading online travel companies, have agreed to add features to their online travel reservation systems so that millions of travelers with disabilities can use their online services to search for and reserve hotel rooms that have the accommodations they need.
Profit through Access is a brand new online training course. Designed for tourism businesses, it will help you to attract a wider range of visitors and improve your profits.
