Krk educates renters about access to people with disabilities

The Croatian Association of Associations for Youth and Students with Disabilities SUMSI, in cooperation with the City of Krk, invites to a workshop whose goal is to educate small private renters about access and accessibility for people with different types of disabilities.

The workshop takes place on Thursday, April 25th 2024, starting at 17:00 in the Small Town Hall of the City of Krk. Leaders and educators are representatives of the SUMSI Association, that is, people with disabilities who have many years of experience in similar educations.

Representatives of the profession and institutions also participate in the workshop program. Education is - as part of the project PWD vacations - implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, communicated are from the city of Krk.

In recent years, the travel and tourism industry has seen a significant turning point in its journey towards inclusivity and accessibility.

/ / / Program to increase accessibility and promote destinations adapted to people with disabilities

Affordable tourism - whose aim is to ensure that destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disability or age - is gaining momentum around the world.

This transformative movement is not only reshaping the way people with disabilities experience travel, but is also opening up new market opportunities for the industry as a whole.

The rise of accessible tourism

Accessible tourism has become a focal point for industry stakeholders who recognize the importance of this sector not only from a social perspective, but also as a significant economic opportunity.

The World Health Organization estimates that approx 15 place of the world's population lives with some form of disability. Considering older travelers who may face similar challenges, the potential market for accessible tourism is huge.

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The move toward more accessible travel experiences has been driven by a combination of advocacy, legislation, and rising traveler expectations.

Legislation such as the European Accessibility Act in the EU and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US have laid the groundwork for a more inclusive approach in the tourism sector.

There are several key elements to fostering the advancement of accessible tourism:

Affordable accommodation

Hotels and resorts around the world are increasingly recognizing the need to offer rooms and facilities adapted to guests with disabilities.

Features such as wheelchair-accessible rooms, braille signage and signage, and hearing aids are becoming standard with the goal of being truly inclusive.

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Improved transportation

Great progress has been made in making transportation more accessible. This includes designing airports, train stations and public transport systems to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

Airlines have also begun to offer more services to assist passengers with disabilities, ensuring a more pleasant travel experience from start to finish.

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Technology and innovation

Technology plays a key role in improving the travel experience for people with disabilities.

From apps that provide real-time navigational assistance to websites designed with accessibility in mind, digital innovations are helping to break down barriers that once made travel daunting for many.

Inclusive tourist attractions

Tourist attractions are also undergoing changes to become more accessible. Museums, parks and historic sites are implementing features such as tactile exhibits, ramp access and sign language tours to ensure that all visitors can enjoy what they have to offer.

Market potential

The economic effect of accessible tourism cannot be overestimated. According to Open Doors, travelers with disabilities spend billions annually, highlighting the significant market that accessible tourism opens up.

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By investing in accessibility, destinations and businesses not only increase their appeal, but also tap into a growing segment of the market that values ​​such considerations.

Case studies

Several destinations have set benchmarks in accessible tourism. Examples are cities like Berlin and London, praised for their accessible public transport systems and facilities.

In Australia, initiatives such as the Beach Access program in Victoria have made beaches more accessible using wheelchairs and mats.

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Challenges

Despite progress, challenges remain. These include the lack of standardized global regulations, which can make international travel unpredictable for people with disabilities, and the need for greater awareness and training in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

The future of accessible tourism lies in constant innovation, greater collaboration between governments, businesses and disability groups, and continued advocacy to keep accessibility at the forefront of the tourism industry's development agenda.

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Accessible tourism is undergoing a key transformation, marking a major turning point in the inclusiveness of the global travel and tourism industry.

As this sector continues to develop, it promises to open up the world to millions of travelers who have so far been underserved by mainstream tourism. 

The continued expansion of accessible tourism not only enriches the travel experience for people with disabilities, but also contributes significantly to the wider economic landscape of the tourism industry, proving that inclusivity can indeed drive success.

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Croatia - MOSI project

Croatia is the first member state of the European Union to simultaneously introduce a European ID card and a European parking ticket for people with disabilities.

As part of the MOSI project 'Improving the system of using the rights of persons with disabilities in the area of ​​mobility', European and National ID cards were delivered to the addresses of more than 105 thousand persons with disabilities in less than a month.

Those persons with disabilities (PWDs) who exercise this right were also supplied with European parking tickets for persons with disabilities, based on the new Law on Privileges in Traffic and the established complex IT system.

The MOSI (Mobility of Persons with Disabilities) project was financed as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

/ / / Croatia is the first in the EU to simultaneously introduce a European identity card and a European parking ticket for people with disabilities

Equal access

The fully digitized system for granting privileges within the framework of this project means that from now on the rights to issue documents are granted automatically, in accordance with legal criteria. The documents are sent directly to the address of the user's residence in Croatia.

The national identity card for persons with disabilities provides privileges in four areas - rail and sea passenger transport, when using highways and using public roads.

Everyone who exercises their rights to a National ID also gets a European one, which enables equal access to benefits in all member states that are primarily focused on tourism, culture (museums, theaters, concerts) and sports. 

/ / / Elevators for people with disabilities have been installed on four Dubrovnik beaches

Benefits in tourism and culture

At the same time, Croatia is the first EU member state to simultaneously introduce a European ID card and a European parking ticket for people with disabilities. 

Holders of the European Card for Persons with Disabilities in Croatia thus enjoy benefits for the national parks Kornati, Krka and Brijuni, the nature parks Lonjsko polje, Papuk and Žumberak - Samoborsko gorje, the Archaeological Museum in Split, the Histrionski Dom Culture Center, the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb and Nikola Tesla Technical Museum.

European parking ticket the right to park throughout the European Union is exercised in specially marked places with the accessibility symbol. Valid documents, solutions and parking tickets are valid until May 15, 2024.

/ / / How the first website of the tourist board was created, which is adapted to people with disabilities

Cover photo: Pixabay