Accesibility_Lecture_ Adaptamos Group

www.adaptamosgroup.com

“ Accessibility as a new value in the tourism sector”

By: Arno de Waal

Forte (Fostering Responsible Tourism in European Higher EducationFlorida Universitaria, Valencia


WHERE DO WE START?

Disability in the past

Exclusion - inclusion

Where do we start?

From the ancient world of Greece and Rome to a modern Western societyIn this type of society the pursuit of physical and intellectual fitness was essential; there was little room for people with any form of flaw imperfection.

Where do we start?

It was until the late 19th century when society started to change their vision: As a consequence several charities controlled and run by non-disabled people `for' disabled people were founded during this period. One example is the British and Foreign Association for Promoting the Education of the Blind, now known as the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) which was set up in 1863


Where do we start?

The fact that an individual is impaired in one way or another is just an aspect of his/her person, but does not make any difference

in social and cultural terms.

(Talle, 1995)


Inclusion: the total integration of people with a disability in the society


What about tourism?

BASICAL CONCEPTS AND DISCRITPION OF THE ACCESSIBLE TOURISM DEMAND.


What is Accessible tourism?

Disability: some data!

Fundamentals of accessible tourism

Incorporate the criterium: “Universal access”

Tourism as a way of integration

Facilitate to ALL persons to access, use enjoy all tourism infrastructure

and services.


Still today its an adventure for people to leave house, they are survivors.

“it is the surrounding that makes me disabled!”


What is accesible tourism?

Construct ACCESSIBLE TOURISM, UNIVERSAL TOURISM, BARRIER FREE TOURISM, BARRIERE

FREI, DREMPELLOOS, TURISMO ACCESIBLE, TURISMO UNIVERSAL,

TOURISM FOR ALL


What is accesible tourism?

Some considerations:• European people are getting older,

therefore the tourism demand changes.• Data of the EU says that there will be 100

millons of people more to travel when tourism destinations and services are more accessible.

• The concept of ACCESSIBILITY (if well done) increase the quality for EVERYBODY.

• Accessibility gives a certian ADDED VALUE for the tourism destination or service.


What is accessible tourism?

• The potencial tourist can be categorized in the following groups:– Persons with permanent physical, sensory or

mental disability. – Older age persons – Persons with a temporally disability (Even pregnant

women are sometimes mentioned in this category). – Persons with walking difficulties (walking sticks)– Persons with a reduced mobility: e.g. people with

small children, push chairs, transporting suitcases etc.

– Other situations and circumstances.


Disability, some data


Some data (Spanish statistics)

RECENT STATISTICS

Cuantificación de la demanda de turistas discapacitados

3,550

500

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

España Europa Resto del Mundo

Cifras enMillones depersonas


Some data

– 8 millions of new outbound travelers– 15 millons of inbound travelers – 22 millons of one day excursions– With a medium of 0,5 companions we

can assume a potencial market of 35 millios of passengers which is good for 630 milliosn of overnight stays. (According to the EU the total tourism market will double…….)


According to the Spanish publication: “Accesibilidad a Turistas con Discapacidades”, the potencial demand in Europe for travelling amongst people with a disability will be estimated:

Some data

“Elderly persons” a new market segment – In Europe more then 14% of the

population are more then 65 years old. – The prevision is that by the year 2000,

20% of the population is over 65 years old.

– In Spain we talk about 8 million people of 65 years and older (about 17% of the Spanish population.


Some data

Data from the WTO:The WTO predicts that “senior” tourists will be the most important segment in the future…..

www.adaptamosgroup.comwww.adaptamosgroup.com

Some data

Threats:• People are used to travel• Competition from other destinations (worldwide)• A web of regulations (already 17 different legislations

in Spain)• More then 80% of the tourism establishments are not

accessible• Lack of knowledge about accessibility issues;

education is necessary.



Opportunities• We talk about a MULTICLIENT TOURIST:

every person with a disability that travels attracts 1,5 companions more. (Family, relatives, business colleagues etc.)

• Helps to reduce the seasonable peak in summer and winter, due to the fact that these people have other working responsibilities.



• Capture these clients will increase the occupancy rate in the tourism area, increasing tourism income etc

• It is a segment that increases every year (We only have to take in mind the car accidents that occur: every WEEK 50 persons more in a wheelchair…….

• Increase the competition: making the difference in a global market under pressure.

• This segment registers a medium of 18 nights (Overnight stay rate) and a 70% loyalty rate.



In companies and tourism destinations:

• New possibilities in the tourism supply• New market segments• New labour opportunities• New business opportunities


Incorporate the criterium: “Universal access

The disabled tourist uses:•Transport•Hotels (accommodation)•Restaurants•Complementary services


So:They participate in the cultural and economic daily life

Tourism as a way of integration

TOURISTIC STRATEGIES, THE ACCESSIBILITY AS A CROSSSECTIONAL DISCIPLINE.


Touristic strategies

Example in Tourism Development in Requena

Where do we start: Touristic strategies in tourism development

• GLOBALIZATION• COMMERCIALIZACTION• INNOVATION• VIABILITY• ACCESSIBILITY• QUALITY• SOSTAINABILITY• RESPONSABILITY

Globalization:

The process of transformation of local or regional phenomena into global ones. It can

be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society

and function together.

Commercialization:• is the process or cycle of introducing a new product into the

market. • In tourism: introducing a new tourism destination or product

Innovation:"Innovation . . . is generally understood as the

successful introduction of a new thing or method . . . Innovation is the embodiment, combination, or synthesis of knowledge in original, relevant, valued new products, processes, or services.

Viabilidad:A tourism product or destination is viable according to sustainable tourism

development when keep in mind the following 4 basic concepts:

• Economy: the ability of benefits to cover costs in development projects, and the ability to create income (jobs).

• Social: to increase the quality of life both for the visitor and the residents for example in terms of infrastructure: access, indication, new transport facilities etc.

• Cultural-Environment: The increase of tourism demand respects the environment (Protecting nature and cultural heritage.)

• Touristic: Creating a complementary offer that increase the quaility on all levels: especially attending clients and offering service.

Accesibility:The total of characteristics that a environment,

product or service need to be accessible in terms of comfort, security and equality for ALL

persons and specifically for people with a disability.

Quality:Quality is the best answer to face competicion.

Touristic organizations have to guarantee their clients that they are capable to respond to the needs, wishes and expectations: better

than the competitors. • Goal: to satisfy clients in all possible ways to achieve mutual

benefits both for visitors, companies and residents.

Sustainability

Satisfy the needs of the present without compromise the possible satisfaction of future

generations.

Responsability:

• «The corporate social responsibility more then comply strictly legislations, is the voluntary integration (in the business strategies, politics and procedures), of the concern of social, labour, environmental and human rights aspects».

• A company is social responsible when it responds satisfactory to the expectations of the different interest groups.

Definición del Foro de Expertos convocado por el Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales

Example of Tourism Development in the village of Requena

Competition in a global market needs more and more dinamization of the toursim supply.

Crossborder key principles during the development of the strategic planning.

•Quality of the tourism destination: A consequence of the public and private tourism sector (quality of the tourism installations, tourism service and efficiency of the local tourism politics.

•Accessibility: Planned to convert Requena in a tourism destinations “for all” which installations and equipments are designed according to the “Universal Design” that gives access to all services and products to people with a disability and persons with reduced mobility.

•Sustainable development: inspired by the idea that the development of the tourism area generates social, economic and environmental benefits. (Offers added value to the inhabitants, generates economic activities, and controls negative impacts (environmental protection, cultural protection etc)

•Innovation, application of new technologies to satisfy the clients needs and to manage tourism exploitation.

ACTUACIÓN

ADAPTACIÓN DE LAS INSTALACIONES y ESPACIOSDE INTERÉS TURÍSTICO VISITABLES A VIGENTE EN MATERIA DE ACCESIBILIDAD

Objetivo>> “Adecuar las instalaciones y equipamientos visitables de interés turístico para la perfecta utilización por parte de todo tipo de público, eliminando las barreras arquitectónicas actuales que impiden el acceso a los mismos de las personas discapacitadas o de movilidad reducida”.

situación actual Existe un marco jurídico en nuestra Comunidad que regula todo lo relacionado con la “accesibilidad”, en entornos urbanos y en edificios de pública concurrencia, por lo que cada actuación debe ser pensada con criterios de “diseño universal”, con el fin de no excluir a nadie

Los principales espacios de interés turístico de Requena no están adaptados para ser visitables por todo el conjunto de ciudadanos, por lo que se está excluyendo a una parte importante de la población que han manifestado su interés por visitar zonas de interior de gran interés como es el término de Requena.

Si bien el Plan Estratégico de Turismo plantea en sus principios básicos el tema de la accesibilidad, como un criterio transversal en la gestión municipal del destino que debe estar presente en cualquier nuevo proyecto, turístico y no turístico, no solo como requerimiento de la normativa vigente en esta materia, sino también como concepto clave de del futuro, para conseguir una ciudad accesible para todos.

CONTENIDOEl planteamiento es desarrollar un conjunto de propuestas de actuación que tengan un efecto demostración en las instalaciones y equipamientos de mayor afluencia de visitantes, y que supongan a corto plazo una mejora de la accesibilidad a la oferta turística del destino.Para determinar el conjunto de actuaciones a desarrollar con los fondos consignados en el plan de dinamización del producto turístico se deberá realizar un proyecto de accesibilidad que aporte soluciones concretas para la visitabilidad de los principales espacios de visita turística actuales. Teniendo en cuenta las valoraciones que establezca el estudio, deberán priorizarse aquellas actuaciones más significativas que contribuyan a configurar un itinerario turístico accesible por los principales lugares de interés.

Text from the actual plan.


beneficios ▪ Adaptar un entorno e ir transformándolo progresivamente para que sea más

accesible, proyectando y planificando para todo tipo de visitantes y consiguiendo gradualmente la eliminación de barreras existentes, permitirá conseguir un municipio que se dinamice y se transforme, sea solidario, innovador y además creará un valor añadido que potenciará actividades y oportunidades de ocio y turismo en la zona, y beneficiará a su población local.

▪ El ayuntamiento podrá optar a diferentes subvenciones para la adaptación del municipio y poder acceder a largo plazo a los premios Reina Sofía en materia de accesibilidad universal convocados anualmente.

TAREAS PLAZO PROCEDIMIENTO

CRONOGRAMA ANUALIDADES

1ª 2ª 3ª

Redacción del proyecto de accesibilidad de los espacios descritos

3 meses Contrato menor

Ejecución de obra 6 meses Concurso

Suministro de equipamiento (ayudas técnicas)

2 meses Contrato menor

TOTAL ADAPTACIÓN DE LAS INSTALACIONES 75.000 €

trabajos a desarrollar



Concept of accessibility

The accessibility as a crosswise element

Types of accessibility

Universal Design


Regulations?

Global accessibility

UNE and DALCO

The wheelchair sign

ACCESSIBILITY IN THE TOURISM ENVIRONMENT

The total of caracteristics that a environment, product or service need to be asable en terms

of confortm security and equality for ALL personas y especifically for people with a

disability.

Fuente: Libro Blanco de la Accesibilidad.






Accessibility as a crosswise element

We have to facilitate ways that give answer to the different tipes of accessibility


Diferent types of accessibility

.


Physical conditions:•How to reach and enter the facility (surrounding)•How to get in and out of the facility (entrance)•Space (space inside the facility)•Mobility

Communication level:•Signals •Information content (qualitative and quantitative

Social conditions:•Politics and management•Publication and marketing•Education personal etc..

Diferent types of accessibility

Public buildingServices

EquipmentProducts


Universal design


Universal design: an example


Universal design: another example

Atention to clientsAtention to clients Adapted instalationsAdapted instalations


Global accessibility

Just another item for qualityJust another item for quality

ACCESIBILITYACCESIBILITY


Accessibility as a quality item

This sign meant to be to inform that a place is accessible, though the user group does not rely on it because only in few occasions the site is really adapted…


The wheelchair sign


The wheelchair sign

• Analyse if the site complies to the regulations • Identify the main barriers of accessibility of the site, destination or

service to see if it is really accessible for persons with a disability. • Offer alternatives to improve accessbility. • Adapt the infrastructures and services following the indicators. • Accessibility during rehabilitation, and construction: Integrate

accessibility as a standard during the design of new touristic activities, products and activities.


The wheelchar sign


UNE and DALCO

Explication of the Spanish UNE 170.001 “Accesibilidad global. Criterios para facilitar la accesibilidad al entorno”

UNE 170.001-1: Requisitos DALCO (Deambulación, Aprehensión, Localización, Comunicación)

UNE 170.001-2: Sistema de gestión de la accesibilidad global (management system for global accessibility)

DALCO: Acronym of:Deambulación: move from one

place to the otherAprehensión: action to do or get

something.Localización: action to know where a

certain thing or person isComunicación: interchange of

information necessary to develop an activity.


UNE and DALCO

LEGISLATIONS

Spanish and European laws

Accessibility in naturalenvironment

Accessibility in “open to public” buildings

Accessibility in urban environment


• There are no European wide legislations.• Every country has its own regulation about

accessibility (See text PDF)• In Spain, every “province” has its own

regulation. 17 in total.......


Spanish and European laws


Valencia legislations

Legislación autonómica sobre accesibilidad aplicable a las infraestructuras turísticas:

Ley 1/1998, de 5 de mayo, de la Generalitat Valenciana, de Accesibilidad y Supresión de Barreras Arquitectónicas, Urbanísticas y de la Comunicación.

Decreto 39/2004, de 5 de marzo, del Consell de la Generalitat Valenciana, por el que se desarrolla la Ley 1/1998, de 5 de mayo en materia de accesibilidad en la edificación de pública concurrencia y en el medio urbano.

Orden de 25 de mayo de 2004, de la Conselleria de Infraestructuras y Transporte, por la que se desarrolla el Decreto 39/2004 de 5 de marzo, del Gobierno Valenciano en materia de accesibilidad en la edificación de pública concurrencia.

The valencia regulation distinguishes the access to: •Buildings with a public function•Urban environment (Parks, gardens, roads etc.)

But does not regulate: •The accessibility of the natural environment.

The access to this areas with its cultural, historical and natural value is not guaranteed in the Spanish regulations.


Valencia legislations

Exterior accessibility

Accessibility of the

itineraries

Accessibility in the

installations

Parking, public transport, accesses

Signals, information, street lights, urban furniture etc.

Info points, info centres, etc...


Natural environment

Accessibility exterior

Accessibility of the itineraries

Accessibility in the installations

Access, image, parking

Entrance, itineraries , vertically and horizontally, illumination, etc..

Doors, bathrooms, equipment, security elements etc.

Orden de 25 de Mayo de 2004, Consellería de Infraestructuras y Transporte, por la que se desarrolla el decreto 39/2004, de 5 de marzo, del Gobierno Valenciano, en materia de accesibilidad en la edificación de pública concurrencia


Public buildings

Accessibility of the itineraries

Accessibility of the urban elements.

Pavements, traffic signals, distinctions of different users. (pedestrians, cyclists,

cars etc.)

Crossovers, ramps, stairs, parking, public toilets, parks, etc.

Accessibility of the urban furniture

Telephones, banks, Kiosks, parking machines, playgrounds etc.

Orden de 9 de Junio de 2004, Consellería de Territorio y vivienda, por la que se desarrolla el decreto 39/2004, de 5 de marzo, del Consell de la Generalitat, en materia de accesibilidad en el medio urbano


Urban environment

CREATION OF AN ACCESSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM model

Accessible and sustainable activity

Action

Tourism model

Examples


Tourism supply

A model in which persons with a disability can enjoy there spare time and realize activities that responds to their needs and fulfill their expectiations.


Accessible and sustainabletourism model

ACTUACIONES

1st step:

Creating awareness to the agents in the tourism sector, about the importance of the group of people with a disability.


Action

2nd step:

Fulfill the existing legislation about accessibility, both nation wide as European wide.

Accessibility ≠ Voluntarily

Accessibility = Need ad ≠ Voluntariedad


Action

a) To create TOURISM FOR ALL:1- Awareness

2- Fulfillment

b) Main issues for tourism establishments:

- Entrance (Doors), displacement (free from obstruction and wide), clear information (signing), funtionality (usefull)…

ADAPTED INSTALATIONS ARE USEFULL FOR ALL.


Action


Cadena de Barreras al Planificar un Viaje

•Internet: Website not accessible•Travel agency: Agency not accessible

Lack of experience personel Reservation

Destination

Transport

Return

•Transfer •Access to terminals •Access to transport•Exit at destination•Access to final destination

•Inside the establishment•Displacement in the physical environment•Access to main tourism attractions •Activities and services (Theatres, themeparks etc.)

•Return•Access to station, airport etc..•Access to transport •Exit•Transfer home

Tourism model

Change is evident and impuls has to be given by:

Public administration:To make policies that guarantee the wellbeing of all citizens and

improve to autonomy. This means that they have to remove elements and factors that generates inequality.

A fundamental key is to incorporate accessibility as a cross border factor when designing services, spaces and/or equipment for public use.


Tourism model

Administration:

• Oblige the fulfilment of regulations. • Realise inspections and give sanctions if companies do not

fulfil the regulations to force adaptations. • Dispose a (inter)national qualification for accessible tourism

destinations, services and establishments. • Offer special sort of courses about accessibility.


Tourism model

Companies:

• To fulfil the legislation.

• Tourism consultants are in majority not aware of accessibility issues.

• Architects, engineers and decorators have to be up to date with criteria about accessibility and new building methods and products.


Tourism model

THE COLLECTIVE:

• In case of insatisfaction about the services, tourist with a disability in Spain do NOT have the habit to complain or to claim. They simply avoid the service and do not demand changes……


Tourism model

Ideal typical model:- A tourism model that serve all persons so they can use and

enjoy all services autonomosly. - Integrate all necessary elements so that everybody can use

and enjoy the instalations.

El entorno


Tourism model

THE ACCESSIBLE TOURISM SUPPLY IN SPAIN IS STILL FAR AWAY FROM AN OPTIMAL AND DESIRABLE LEVEL…

La realidad del sector


Tourism model


Proyecto de playas accesibles

•Financial support to adapt tourism establishments.

•Education for profesionals in tourism.

•Support to adapt information (web)

•Adapt tourism ofices (almost an 85% of the Spanish

tourist offices is accessible)

•Collaboration between departments to create

accessible services (e.g. accessible beeches in Spain)

•International projects (expertise)


Examples

www.rinconcintogredos.com

www.elbosquedelossuenos.com


Some companies:

GOOD PRACTICES

Transport

Hotels

Restaurants

Leisure



Adapted car• The mayority of people with a

disability have to use their own transportation because of the difficulties that causes other ways of transportation.

Quovi


Transport


TRAIN - METRO

-Train and metro station have a lot of barriers. -Also de trains itself. (There are few trains that have places for wheelchair users.)-People have to plan the whole trip.


Transport



Transport



Transport


BUS

- A minimum percentage of the buses are prepared to give access to people with mobility difficulties. - Some are prepared with ramps, and new vehicles need to have an access ramp.


Transport



Transport



Transporte


AIR TRANSPORT- Generally spoken, Spanish airports are adapted for people with reduced mobility. - But, there are serious shortages with respect to boarding and unboarding concerning commodity and security. -Since the 26th of July 2008 the attention to people with a disability lies at the proper airports.


Transport



Transport

Air Europa implanta los manuales de seguridad para pasajeros en BrailleHosteltur 22/10/07

(*) Responsables de Air Europa señalaron que esta iniciativa, pionera en la aviación comercial española, responde al propósito de crear a bordo “un clima de normalidad en el que las personas ciegas puedan acceder a la misma información que cualquier otro pasajero”.


Implementation of Braille at Air Europa.


Transport


Transport


Transport


Transport (Taxi)

Every citiy need a minimum of 5% of there taxis to be accessible. People with a disability have priority but when the taxi is available other users also can use them. (In valencia only 12 taxis…)

Real Decreto 1544/2007 (acceso y utilización de los modos de transporte)

Prices in braille.


Transport


Analysis of 431 of 3 and 4 star hotels;– Only a 0’7% of the evaluated hotels is accessible according

to the standards……….. – Almost a 45% of the hotels do not even reach the

minimum standard of accessibility…. – An 8% of the analyzed hotels offer a certain autonomy to

the stakeholders which are the most effected to architectonic barriers; wheelchair users.

– The biggest part of the accessible hotels are near the beach or in the bigger cities.

Libro Verde de la Accesibilidad, ACCEPLAN.


Hotels


Hotels

Current situation- Most of the hotels do not have adapted hotel rooms or only a few. - Although hotels do have “adapted rooms” the adaption is not USEFUL. (bath tub without bars, not enough space to make transfers etc.) - In public areas no accessible facilities (adapted room, but no adapted swimming pool, bar, restaurant etc…)- Lack of transport facilities-Lack of knowledge about “how to tread people with a handicap)



Hotels


Hotels


Hotels


Hotels


Hotels


Hotels


Hotels


Hotels

www.rinconcintogredos.com

www.inoutalberg.com

www.elbosquedelossuenos.com


Hotels


- Accessible restaurants are really hard to find. In some cities they do not even exist….

- The level of accessibility is often related with the age of the building.


Restaurants

RESTAURANTE RESTAURANTE


Restaurants

• The main tourism destinations offer leisure facilities like a museum. But few are accessible.


Leisure


Leisure


Leisure

Casa Museo Blasco Ibañez

Museo del Arroz


Leisure

Museo Artistas Falleros


Leisure

Museo Cultura del Vino (Rioja)


Leisure



Leisure


Leisure


Leisure


Imágenes cedidas por:Ayuntamiento de AvilaAuditorio Municipal de San Francisco

Leisure



Leisure



Leisure



Leisure

Imágenes cedidas por:Ayuntamiento de Avila


Leisure



Leisure

• Ski: Several of the Spanish ski resorts adapted their instalacions and services. People with a disability can practice their sport in the Sierre Nevada, Boí Tahull, Formigal, Valdesquí, Estación de Manzaneda, etc.


Leisure (Sport)


Leisure (Sport)

• TIRO DE TRINEO CON PERROS (MUSHING)– Albergue de

Les Alcusses (Moixent – Valencia)

www.masuno.org


Sport


Leisure (Sport)


Sport

www.avte.es


Leisure (Sport)


Leisure


Leisure


Leisure


Leisure


Leisure


Leisure


Leisure


Accessibility is the philosophy that everybody is welcome.