Physically challenged and elderly persons might soon find it easier to access tourist destinations in India as the Government intends to make them barrier-free for the benefit of this section of tourists. The Indian Tourism Ministry has made it mandatory that all tourist facilities, which are being created with Central Government financial assistance, should be barrier-free, the tourism secretary, Mr Shilabhadra Banerjee, said on 24 October at a Training Workshop for Government managers and engineers.
A network of independent travel agents to drive cruise holiday sales and specialist service to disabled travellers could soon be a reality. 'Leading Cruise Agents' is to discuss the possibility following a debate by cruise lines on how to tap into a market of 2.5 million registered disabled travellers in the UK.
The British Standards Institute has published "BS EN 15565:2008 Tourism services. Requirements for the provision of professional tourist guide training and qualification programmes".
The Scandic hotel chain, which since 2003 has been working to make its hotels accessible to disabled guests, is now stepping up the pace of the conversion programme. In 2008 alone, Scandic will add over 100 accessible rooms, as well as raising the standard of the accommodation by providing height-adjustable beds. The aim is to meet increased demand.
On 26 July, new rules came into force to offer persons with disabilities and those with mobility impairments access to air transport, comparable to that of any other passengers flying from airports in the European Union.
The latest newsletter published today by the Standards Unit of Ireland's National Disability Authority (NDA) shows a lively state of activity in new and forthcoming standards which target accessibility for everyone in tourism and at heritage sites.
Following the invitation of the ENAT international Board, travel writer and educator, Dr. Scott Rains has been made a 'Lifetime Honorary Associate Member’ of the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT).
The European Commission proposes EU-wide legislation to protect citizens from discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief in the areas of social protection, education and access to and supply of goods and services.
The Design for All Foundation, based in Barcelona, (Spain) and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ensuring long-term cooperation between the two associations for the promotion of better access for all citizens in Europe.
Today the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has taken up Honorary Associate Membership of the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) with Observer status in meetings of the association. In a letter to ENAT, Marina Diotallevi, Chief of the 'Cultural, Social and Ethical Aspects of Tourism' Section at UNWTO expressed how she looks forward to the organisations' renewed cooperation for the promotion of accessible tourism for all.
PTaccess analyses the state of accessibility of public transport systems for people with disabilities in Europe. Furthermore PTaccess analyses the costs and benefits of good practice examples in making public transport accessible and will deepen the understanding of the transport related contexts of social exclusion of people with disabilities. This project is supported through the Research for policy support heading of the European Union's Sixth Framework Programme, PRIORITY 8.1 Policy-oriented research, Scientific support to policies -- SSP
Under s.71B of the UK Railways Act 1993 the Secretary of State maintains a Code of Practice to protect the interests of disabled people travelling by rail. All passenger train and station operators are encouraged to use the document, and those who are licensed must follow its standards. Accessible Train and Station Design for Disabled people: A Code of Practice, published in July 2008, replaced the previous version published by the Strategic Rail Authority, and incorporates a clearer structure, more-up-to-date guidance, and standards mirroring new European rules. This new edition code of practice replaces all previous versions. It provides standards and guidance for accessibility at railway stations, and should be used by all train and station operators whenever they carry out works on their facilities.
