The INTERREG IVc programme on innovation and environment targets the transnational exchange of experience and good practice between public sector organisations working at municipal, provincial and regional levels in the EU Member States. With the 2nd Call for proposals now open, ENAT is keen to support public authorities in their bids to design and implement transnational projects where accessible tourism is in focus.
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.
Thanks to the guide Monza per Tutti (Monza for All), Monza, a Lombard city lying 15 km northeast of Milan, can now offer specified information about physical accessibility and a number of accommodations, facilities, restaurants and museums. In this way it will be easier for everyone to plan their visit to Monza.
Located in the central region of Portugal, Lousã is an area which epitomises the unspoilt beauty of the Serra da Lousã mountain landscape. Following an initiative to host the first National Accessible Tourism Conference in April 2007, Lousã civil society organised a Task Force to plan for the development of Lousã as the first Accessible Tourism Destination in Portugal. The project aims to serve as an example both nationally and internationally. The website which is currently in Portuguese, will be available in English, French and Spanish in due course.
Why should venue owners consider accessible tourism? This website provides links to a range of resources that tourist venue owners can use to gain insight and develop their services for disabled and elderly tourists. The information was compiled as part of the EU funded 'Happy Tourist' project.
RAF Models, Inc. is entering the testing phase for a new tactile exhibit system that will make aquarium exhibits accessible to those who are blind or have low vision. Once completed, the exhibits (touch-activated, tactile models of fish with an audio component where applicable) will become part of a permanent exhibit at North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
Accessible Portugal is a commercial organisation whose mission is to provide services to disabled visitors and other tourists who have restricted mobility.
The Disability Directory is intended as guidance for all museums and galleries in improving their services to disabled people. With the wider implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act a legal duty is added to the obligation that in any case exists for all museums and galleries to have appropriate policies and plans in place to ensure access to their collections and services for all.
As part of the two year ENAT work programme 2006 – 2007, a study of services and facilities for accessible tourism in Europe was conducted by Toegankelijkheidsbureau (Belgium). This report presents definitions of accessible tourism, the target public and their specific needs, leading to an overview of services and facilities that tourism providers can adopt to improve accessibility.
An access guide to Tenerife Sur, produced in 2007, covers information bureaux, facilities, transport and accommodations in three languages, Spanish, English, German. 169 pages. It is published by the Municipality of Arona. Arona has taken up the challenge to make its tourist offers available to everyone, including people with disabilities, through the Arona Integral Accessibility Plan.
