Note by the Secretary-General, Economic and Social Council, United Nations. At its forty-eighth session, the General Assembly adopted the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, contained in the annex to its resolution 48/96. These 22 rules provide a framework within which to further implement the goals of equality and full participation of persons with disabilities in social life and development as set forth in the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the Assembly in its resolution 37/52. This report was prepared by the Special Rapporteur at the end of 2008, recording progress made and identifying targets for future actions.
This is the Report of the European Day of People with Disabilities 2008. It includes summaries of the speeches and discussions at the two-day conferece held in Brussels on 1st and 2nd in December 2008. In this wide-ranging conference, Mr. Ivor Ambrose, Managing Director ENAT, gave a presentation about Accessible Tourism in the third session (Day 2).
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.
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.
The latest issue of Tourism-Review.com highlights the fact that seniors and disabled travellers represent a growing market. Australia mostly offers quality services but there is still space for improvement.
If you cannot manage the train journey standing up from Gatwick Airport to Central London, the recently introduced Priority Seating Card is for you. Southern Railways hopes that by issuing a pass card to older persons, pregnant women, those with a disability and with less visible difficulties, fellow passengers will more readily give up priority seats to those who need them.
VisitEngland has recently refreshed the entry-level mobility standard of the National Accessible Scheme, which enables all accommodation providers to give a declaration of the accessibility of their business. The standard, called ‘One step ahead’, is not so exacting as the requirements for full wheelchair accessibility.
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.
Two French athletes who travelled to South Africa to compete in the annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge, held on Saturday 14 February in the historic town of George in the Western Cape, have returned home victorious with gold and silver medals. Denis Lemeunier was the first to cross the finishing line of the 42.2 km wheelchair marathon in a time of 1:42:48.
Bonn, Germany – On 3 February, the first Paralympic Winter World Cup will take place in Solleftea, Sweden, bringing together over 200 athletes representing 26 countries from around the world. The Paralympic Winter World Cup will be an exciting event for elite winter sport athletes with a disability and one of the biggest international biannual multi-sport competitions outside of the Paralympic Winter Games.
