Recently in Destination Category

It was just brought to my attention that I never actually published a post about the wonderful work of Shaka Surf Camp in Costa Rica:

On Friday the 12th March, Tourism for All UK participated in a two hour workshop at the largest tourism trade exhibition of its kind - ITB Berlin.

In front of an audience of visitors to the trade show, the session investigated the experience of the panellists as to how Europe was meeting the needs of disabled visitors, which was followed by an in-depth Q&A session hosted by SAT 1 TV presenter Bettina Cramer.

Principally this session was about good practice and how the requirements of disabled people are being met in Europe, the barriers to tourism for disabled people and how these might be overcome.

Participants included:

Dirk Janczewski, Founder of Barrier-Free-Tourism.eu (www.barrierfree-tourism.com/);

Lillian Muller, President of ENAT - the European Network for Accessible Tourism (www.accessibletourism.org/);

Mohammed Al-Tarawneh Vice-Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (www.ohchr.org/);

Dr Rudiger Leidner - President of the Coordination Board on Tourism of the German Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (http://natko.de/);

Angel David Herrera González - Counsellor of Tourism for Arona in Tenerife (www.arona.org/)

Brian Seaman of TFA.

Source:

http://www.tourismforall.org.uk/ITB-Berlin-Accessible-Tourism-Market-Potential-and-Best-Practices-BusinessNews.htm

• Onglet « Tourisme et handicap » sur la page d'accueil du site internetwww.audetourisme.com.

• Un nouveau site en juin. A cette même adresse, la nouvelle version du site internet du CDT de l'Aude-Pays cathare sera en ligne en juin 2010. Elle intègre un mini site dédié exclusivement au handicap, particulièrement complet, plus ergonomique et plus lisible. Répondant à la norme « Accessiweb V1.1 », il permet, entre autres :

- Une présentation vocale du département en MP3, téléchargeable.
- Une vidéo détaillée de tous les secteurs en langue des signes.
- Une rubrique pour préparer son séjour (accès en avion, services Accès plus de la SNCF dans trois gares du département, contacts utiles sur les agglomérations de Narbonne et Carcassonne...).
- La liste des offices du tourisme labélisés.
- L'annuaire des services spécialisés et d'aide à la personne.
- La liste des zones de baignades accessibles (plages et piscines).
- Une rubrique « Actus » recensant tous les infos spécifiques et les actions des prestataires labélisés.

• Brochure Tourisme & Handicap de l'Aude Pays Cathare (version papier ou téléchargeable sur le site), éditée depuis 2003. La grande nouveauté de la cette édition est la mise en valeur des structures labélisées situées à proximité du Canal du Midi. Leur diversité et leur complémentarité permettent à une clientèle en situation de handicap physique de composer un séjour en toute confiance. Elle recense tous les sites labélisés, avec un descriptif et une carte du département. La brochure 2010 est disponible le 12 mars.

• Mémento de l'accueil touristique en LSF (Langue des signes française), disponible depuis 2007, en version papier ou téléchargeable sur le site. Une première en France ! Destiné aux professionnels du tourisme et agents des offices du tourisme, initiés à cette langue lors de formations, ce manuel pratique permet de répondre à des situations concrètes face à des personnes sourdes et malentendantes. Il propose un florilège de photos présentant les expressions les plus courantes : bonjour, merci, bonnes vacances, restaurant ou feu d'artifice...

• Présentation du département avec vidéo en LSF sur le site. L'Aude fut l'un des premiers à proposer un tel service d'information ! Dans de courtes vidéos, une interprète en langue des signes présente les différents pays qui composent le département, les sites majeurs et l'histoire de la région.
www.audetourisme.com/FR/tourisme_et_handicap/lsf/le_pays_carcassonnais.aspx

• Sensibilisation des professionnels à l'accueil des visiteurs handicapés à l'occasion de courtes formations à l'initiative des offices du tourisme et du CDT. Elles abordent le cadre légal, les obligations imposées par la loi handicap de 2005 et un accompagnement technique pour mettre leurs sites en conformité. Sur le nouveau site du CDT, une rubrique « Espace pro » proposera dès juin 2010 une multitude d'informations et de documents (certains disponibles en version papier) pour les aider dans leurs démarches : photos, schémas et plans des adaptations, liste des fournisseurs spécialisés sur toute la France, guide pour l'accueil des visiteurs handicapés...

• Participation active à des salons spécialisés.
Prochains rendez-vous :
- Salon Autonomies à Liège (Belgique), les 25, 26 et 27 mars 2010 où le CDT de l'Aude présentera sa brochure 2010 sur la plate-forme « Tourisme & Loisirs adaptés ».
- Salon Autonomic à Paris, Porte de Versailles les 9, 10 et 11 juin 2010.

• Trophées « Autonomic, Innov 2008 » et « Les étoiles de l'accueil, trophée de la Maison de la France (Rn2d) » en 2006 qui ont récompensé la présentation filmée du département en langue des signes.

 En savoir plus sur notre dossier « Tourisme et handicap » dans l'Aude :

Aude : « Un tourisme pour tous ! » et contacts
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3166.php

Aude : Editorial d'Alain Coste, directeur du CDT + projets
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3167.php

Aude : le tourisme adapté en chiffres
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3168.php

Aude : les sites incontournables et leur accessibilité
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3170.php

Aude : Carcassonne, notre ville coup de cœur
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3171.php

Aude : Narbonne, des actions positives
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3172.php

Aude : calendrier des grandes manifestations
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3173.php

Aude : bastion gastronomique
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3174.php

Aude : sports et loisirs adaptés
http://tourisme.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3175.php

Siource:

http://informations.handicap.fr/art-tourisme-culture-15.0.0.0-3169.php

Disability is defined as an interaction between what levels of functionality a person may have and the environment.

The lack of vision, for example, may not constitute a disability in any meaningful sense to a blind person in a well-designed or familiar environment.

Not all functional abilities involved in disability are the same.

Typical  medically-oriented categories used to group people who may share broadly similar accessibility and inclusion requirements include:

1.    Visual
2.    Auditory
3.    Cognitive/emotional
4.    Mobility

A complimentary approach avoids the implicit paternalism of a medical model and looks at the lifecycle of individuals to guide design solutions by the demographics of infant-child-youth-adult-senior. This segmentation also accounts for more temporary changes in a persons' functionality through things such as pregnancy, a broken limb, pushing a stroller, illiteracy in the local language, or intoxication.

Not all disabilities require the same design solution.

In fact, an ideal solution for one group (items lowered to be reached easily from a wheelchair, sidewalk ramps with a smooth texture and no lip) can be a danger to another group with a disability (collision danger with low objects for blind users or lack of tactile clues on ramps for canes.)

Good design requires a team of experts working directly with users.

As a result, all design solutions seeking access and inclusion require experts in Universal Design. Universal Design is user-centered design process that involves persons with disabilities in the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance monitoring process.
 Universal design is defined as:

Universal Design is a framework for the design of places, things, information, communication and policy to be usable by the widest range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design.

Permanent esthetically-integrated design solutions are preferred

While permanent esthetically-integrated design solutions are preferred and temporary aesthetically incongruous are to be avoided change is sometimes necessary. Best practices include designing for ease of maintenance, building with modularity that allows for upgrades, and constructing with hidden structural reinforcement permitting future expansion.
In fact, although observation demonstrates that most non-disabled users intentionally use accessibility features such as ramps, many individuals with significant sensory or mobility limitations through aging do not consider themselves disabled and avoid "ugly" stereotyping accessibility features.
In other words, esthetically-integrated design solutions are preferred both by persons with disabilities and those whose primary concern is the preservation of the integrity of a historic patrimony site.

If a user can't find it, it doesn't exist

Navigation through proper signage and environmental design is an essential element of the fully inclusive tourism destination.

Also essential is the existence of material describing the destination in modes that are accessible to visitors with disabilities: captioned photos and video, audio-described graphics, text in Braille. Studies exist on what constitutes the destination features that must be described for travelers with disabilities and how they are best published for use by this demographic. Experts in Inclusive Design are familiar with these emerging standards and best-practices and can provide guidance.

All this material must be available in accessible format online in the language of the desired client group before any Inclusive Destination project or itinerary can be considered complete.

Marketing should include persons with disabilities.

There is a "bonus" market hidden here.

Of all traveler niches persons with disabilities rely more heavily on word-of-mouth recommendation than any other group.

People with disabilities travel with an average of 1.5 people accompanying them.  Consider, for example, that an entire family with a member who has a disability will avoid an inaccessible hotel or destination causing those businesses to lose multiple times the income to be gained by not accommodating one person with a disability. Consider further that word-of-mouth dis-recommendation by the disability community guarantees that those economic losses will continue to multiply over time until accessible environments and inclusive practices are implemented.

In addition travelers with disabilities are more loyal return customers, spend an average of one day longer at a destination than other groups.

Inclusive Design in areas marked for historic preservation is an example of Geotourism.

Geotourism is defined as:

National Geographic defines geotourism as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place -its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Geotourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism -that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations- while allowing for enhancement that protects the character of the locale. Geotourism also adopts a principle from its cousin, ecotourism -that tourism revenue can promote conservation- and extends that principle beyond nature travel to encompass culture and history as well: all distinctive assets of a place.

By far the most flexible and accommodating venue we found in Maputo as we planned the Inclusive Tourism Seminar was Residencial Kaya Kwanga. "Kaya Kwanga" means (in Soto, I believe) "Your Home."

The homey feel was evident in the rapidly-executed modifications undertaken to accommodate 15 wheelchair-using guest from 17 countries. We left the infrastructure upgraded for accessibility in the process. For those wanting an affordable, if slightly challenging, family-oriented base to work from in Maputo Kaya Kwanga might be an option.

Other wheelchair-users stayed at Cardoso, Southern Sun, Avenida, Hotel Turismo, and the Holiday Inn with varying degress of satisfaction with their limited accessibility.

Now let me change glossaries and pull out the superlatives to describe a new hotel that we discovered while driving past - it is not even in this year's Maputo telephone directory!

Within minutes of moving into my room at Hotel Afrin there was a housekeeping team at the door to welcome me. That was followed by the head of housekeeping doing a total furniture makeover adding a lower table to the kitchen and innumerable small touches to enhance the accessibility of the environment.

And it didn't need much!

The room was huge. No carpets. Easy to open wall-sized curtains to a (inaccessible) balcony.

My home won the 2006 Universal Design Award for Silicon Valley based on a remodel of our master bathroom. I am glad I did not have to compete with this hotel's design. I would have lost!

The photos show a superbly designed wet room. The unfortunate flaw was using a Portuguese standard for door widths (70 cm) and then losing an addition 1.5 cm through moulding. Once again hoteliers, build for the clientelle who you want to attract and exceed their expectations. Never be satisfied wth mere compliance with minimum standards.

Now, as important as architecture is, as appealing as the hotels excellent art and fair food was, the coup de grace of staying at Hotel Afrin were my daily visits from the two owners Iboo and Fortunato.

It did not slip past my attention that my first encounter with Iboo was as an empty pair of black loafers outside the door to the mini-mosque across the hall from my room. When Fortunato sought me out one night to inform me that he planned to support our work he was palming his prayer beads. Successful, exceedingly sharp businessmen, these two gentle Sufis were the highlight of my perfectly comfortable stay at Hotel Afrin.

Five stars plus for design and service!

Tammy and Bill Pickering sent Global Access News word of their new wheelchair accessible cottages on Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI). View photos and learn more about their facilities at http://www.globalaccessnews.com/PEI%20a_view_to_sea_cottages.htm

A View To Sea Cottages
3515 Route 20, Se- View, Kensington RR#2 PEI C0B 1M0
1-877-412-8822 toll-free
http://peivacations.ca/

Recadinho aos nossos Governantes Pessoas Com Deficiência o descaso continua por falta de conhecimento e estrutura. Nós Cidadãos brasileiros ligados diretamente as "pessoas com deficiência e crianças com deficiência" Classificamos essa decisão do MEC de irresponsável "ou decisão SEM RESPONSABILIDADE" Alunos Especiais sofrem dentro das Escolas com o descaso por parte do poder Público, as Escolas da rede regular de Ensino não oferecem condições adequadas aos Alunos com deficiência e deixam Mães, Pais e familiares desesperados. Para o Ministério da Educação as Adaptações e as adequações devem ser feitas com os Alunos Especiais já dentro das Escolas, OU SEJA, EXEMPLO: Vejam Bem, Primeiro Jogam as crianças em auto Mar sem coletes Salva Vidas, "exemplo as Escolas sem estrutura". Depois abrem Licitação para comprarem os coletes Salva Vidas para serem colocados nas crianças já lançadas ao Mar, Depois abrem um concurso Público para contratarem Professores de Natação e profissionais Salva Vidas. Infelizmente é isto que vem acontecendo com as nossas crianças com essa decisão, (Chamada pelos Técnicos da Educação de "INCLUSÃO") Nós Cidadãos brasileiros em Geral Perguntamos, ISTO Que estão fazendo com as nossas crianças com deficiência é Correto? O Correto não seria preparar uma estrutura nas Escolas e depois receberem esses Alunos? Visto que, É de conhecimento de todos que essas crianças necessitam de cuidados especiais, perguntamos O porquê estão lançando essa responsabilidade aos professores sem lhes oferecer o mínimo de respaldo? Estão lançando uma grande responsabilidade em cima dos professores, professores que muito lutam e fazem um trabalho duro para ensinar as crianças "NORMAIS". Como os senhores Governantes podem colocar mais essa grande responsabilidade nesses valorosos profissionais, sem lhes dar o mínimo de estrutura? União, Estados e Municípios estão cometendo crime contra a vida e o bem estar dessas crianças, e estão cometendo uma grande injustiça com nossos valorosos professores. A Falta de Profissionais treinados e qualificados para o atendimento ao ensino das pessoas com deficiência junto à falta de estrutura e a falta de Adaptações nas Escolas da rede Regular de Ensino tornam-se um crime contra a vida e o bem estar dessas crianças Alunos com deficiência, PERGUNTAMOS, O QUE ESTÃO FAZENDO COM ESSAS CRIANÇAS É CORRETO??? No caso em questão, deixamos aqui uma Sugestão, 1º-Criar um plano de carreira aos Professores da rede regular de ensino. Criar uma nova Classe de Pedagogos com especialização em deficiências múltiplas e técnicas básicas em enfermagem, a fim de, darem suporte adequado a cada aluno com suas diferentes deficiências. A União, Estados e Municípios terão a obrigatoriedade de custearem os cursos ou faculdades para a formação e qualificação desses novos profissionais, garantindo-lhes uma remuneração maior assim que formados e estiverem em atividade. Sendo justa a maior remuneração a esses profissionais por buscarem e terem melhor qualificação do que professores sem essas qualificações. Assim estaremos estimulando os professores a buscarem uma melhor qualificação, melhores salários e estaremos a caminho da solução do problema principal que é ter profissionais especializados e aptos a desempenharem um ensino com segurança e qualidade as nossas crianças com deficiência. Aguardamos esclarecimentos do poder Público. Atenciosamente Valdir Timóteo

Turismo adaptado pode ganhar mais destinos

Sem a visão assistencialista, empresas de turismo e destinos de viagens estão cada vez mais preparados para receber deficientes

Ricardo Shimosakai, 41, sempre gostou de viajar com família.

Mas, aos 33 anos, a vida dele mudou completamente. Vítima de um sequestro relâmpago, levou um tiro e ficou paraplégico. Durante a fisioterapia, Ricardo teve de escolher um esporte como parte do tratamento, e acabou se interessando por tênis de mesa.

O esporte logo se tornou uma paixão que o levou a viajar pela primeira vez, depois de ficar paraplégico, a disputar os campeonatos, em diversas partes do País. Com o tempo, ele percebeu que poderia fazer turismo como antes tanto pelo Brasil quanto para outros países.

Para atender à necessidade de pessoas com deficiência como Ricardo, empresas oferecem roteiros de turismo adaptado cujos destinos dão total acessibilidade. A agência de viagens Freeway Brasil é uma empresa pioneira em oferecer roteiros de turismo adaptado. Segundo a operadora, as cidades indicadas para deficientes são Foz do Iguaçu (PR), Pantanal (MT), Itacaré (BA) e Bonito (MS) porque possuem infraestrutura como rampas de acesso, calçadas adaptadas, transporte inclusivo e outras facilidades que permitem ao visitante total acessibilidade aos passeios. Mas se o turista quiser outras opções de destinos acessíveis, a empresa faz indicações de locais e roteiros com tudo o que o viajante precisa para aproveitar ao máximo a viagem. O governo federal também vem fazendo a parte dele para promover o turismo adaptado.

No Plano Nacional de Turismo que compreende os anos de 2007 a 2010, a inclusão social é uma das principais metas. Além disso, também foi lançado o projeto "10 Destinos-Referência".

A ideia é dar aos destinos estruturas com padrão de qualidade internacional para que sirvam de modelos indutores para o desenvolvimento turístico regional. O destino adaptado entre os "10 Destinos –Referências", já em pleno funcionamento, é a cidade Socorro, a 138 km de São Paulo, que é muito procurada para a prática de turismo de aventura.

Por conta disso, foi implantado na cidade o "Aventureiros Especiais". Coordenado pela ONG Aventura Especial, ela adequou os destinos que oferecem esportes radicais na região, possibilitando aos deficientes a prática de alguns deles. Para realizar as atividades nos locais adequados, a operadora de turismo Rios de Aventura organiza os roteiros das aventuras acessíveis em Socorro. Ela oferece aventuras para deficientes visuais e cadeirantes como rafting, trilha e tirolesa, que é praticada por meio de uma cadeira especial e com auxílio dos monitores.

Os destinos são o Hotel Fazenda Campo dos Sonhos, o Parque dos Sonhos e o Parque Ecológico Monjolinho. Até o final de 2010 serão oferecidos mais destinos a todos os turistas: Pesca, em Barcelos (AM); Cinema, em Brasília (DF); Cultura, em Parati (RJ); Intercâmbio, em São João Del Rei (MG); Negócios, em Ribeirão Preto (SP); Rural, em Anitapolis, Santa Rosa de Lima, Rancho Queimado e Urubici, todos em Santa Catarina. Além de ecoturismo, em Santarém (PA); Aventura, em Lençóis (BA); e a Praia de Jericoacoara (CE). Em Pernambuco, a cidade Garanhuns figura na lista de projetos do Ministério do Turismo para ser uma dos próximos destinos adaptados.

Brasil:

 

Publicado em 12 de Janeiro de 2010

A Câmara analisa o Projeto de Lei 5969/09, de autoria do   (PMDB-PB), que estabelece como infração deixar de dar preferência de passagem a pedestres com dificuldade de locomoção permanente ou mobilidade reduzida ou em veículo não motorizado.

A proposta modifica o Código de Trânsito Brasileiro (Lei 9503/97). Pela nova redação, além dos portadores de deficiência física, crianças, idosos e gestantes, também será considerada infração gravíssima quando um motorista não esperar que as pessoas com dificuldade de locomoção permanente ou mobilidade reduzida atravessem a rua.

O autor explica que, apesar de serem pessoas que não se enquadram no conceito de portador de deficiência, elas também, por qualquer motivo, provisório ou permanente, têm dificuldade de se movimentar, tendo a efetiva redução da sua mobilidade, flexibilidade, coordenação motora e percepção.

Definições

Segundo o texto, considera-se como uma pessoa com mobilidade reduzida aquela que, de forma temporária ou permanente, tem limitada a sua capacidade de se relacionar com o meio e de utilizá-lo.

"Entende-se por pessoa com mobilidade reduzida aquela com deficiência, a idosa, a obesa e a gestante, entre outros", exemplifica o deputado. Ele lembra que algumas destas condições limitadoras da mobilidade podem se configurar de natureza permanente ou se agravar com o passar do tempo. "Estas pessoas merecem ser tratadas com mais consideração", argumenta.

Tramitação

O projeto tem caráter conclusivo e será analisado pelas comissões de Viação e Transportes; e de Constituição e Justiça e de Cidadania.

Fonte: Câmara dosa Deputados Federais

Sandra Rhodda at Access Tourism new Zealand notes:

VisitDenmark has recognized that for people with disabilities to have successful holidays, there must be good physical accessibility to transportation, accommodation, restaurants, museums, and entertainment.  There also must be access to good reliable information about accessibility so that the people can plan holidays appropriate to them.  Therefore, VisitDenmark has, in co-operation with the Danish disability organisations and the tourism industry set up the association "Accessibility for All" with the purpose of running a new tourism labelling scheme for accessibility.

Full story:

http://www.accesstourismnz.org.nz/2010/02/denmark-access-tourism-labelling-scheme/

As I look at the Concept Note describing our upcoming seminar on Inclusive Tourism in Mozambique and read comments on Haiti's tourism I see parallels -- and opportunities:

Haiti was getting ready to capitalise on its sunny weather and tropical scenery to attract tourist to that impoverished island nation when the magnitude-7.0 earthquake rocked the French-speaking country, killing an estimated 200,000 and leaving millions homeless.

New hotels, new attention from international investors and buzz among travellers who have visited in recent years seem to signal a renewed interest in Haiti as a destination. Just two hours away by plane from Miami, Florida, the country had one of the strongest tourist industries in the Caribbean in the 1950s and '60s, according to Americas, the magazine of the Organisation of American States.

However, things began to change with the deterioration of the political climate.

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic, Haiti's neighbour on the island of Hispaniola, welcomed almost four million people in 2008, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

Source:
http://www.eturbonews.com/14258/tourism-could-play-critical-role-haitis-recovery

Talk of "re-inventing Haiti" has even gone at far as UNWTO. Carlos Vogeler, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's (UNWTO's) regional representative for the Americas recently commented:

Tourism can be one of the vehicles which can help Haiti to not go back to where they were because they were not in very good shape, but to go to a much better condition than the one they had before.

Note this article on RollingRains.com from before the earthquake, "Can Haiti be Brought Back into The World Tourism Circuit?"

In light of the recent disaster and world mobilization to rebuild the country I would say that the answer is, "Yes, if Inclusive Destination development is practiced."

I recommend that Haitian delegates attend the March 1-3 World Bank funded conference in Maputo on tourism, development, and disability. There we can transfer some relevant knowledge to Haiti through these delegates and plan a more tailored event for the country and for relief and reconstruction entities there.

Listen to Haiti's Tourism Minister Patrick Delatour and get a picture of the situation at:  http://www.theworld.org/tag/patrick-delatour/

Eduardo Camara has begun translating the articles at the blog Mão na Roda into English. Watch this page as he continues to add resources:

http://maonarodablog.com.br/wheelchair-traveling-brazil/

El Ayuntamiento Guadalajara presentó en Fitur varias novedades e iniciativas a desarrollar por la Concejalía de Turismo, entre las que destaca el nacimiento de unas nuevas guías de la ciudad, digitales, y especialmente pensadas en su uso por personas con diferentes discapacidades. 

The cameraman motions furiously at the lake. The philanthropist inches forward. I peer through long grass and see them: crocodiles. Big ones. Looking at us. In the water behind are dark bulges. More crocodiles. Hundreds, maybe thousands of them. We follow the cameraman as he creeps closer along a path I now realise was made by crocodiles. The helicopter is nowhere in sight. What the hell are we doing here?

It's simple. Chris Everson wants some close-up shots of crocs for 60 Minutes, the American television programme. Greg Carr has come to see some of the wildlife that his money and know-how are helping recover. And I'm caught up in the excitement of what might just be the hottest conservation story in Africa.

For the full article: http://www.southernafricadirect.com/news/entries/2009-08-04/mozambiques-gorongoza-park-comes-back-to-life.html